Echo Immortalis magazine - Vol. 1 Is. 2, Spring 2006 by ECHO IMMORTALIS MUSIC MAGAZINE

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Echo Immortalis MIDWEST GOTHIC AND INDUSTRIAL CULTURE

Volume 1 Issue 2 | Spring - Summer 2006

www.EchoImmortalis.net

Fashion

Literati

music

Nightlife

Photography

reviews

Echo Immortalis Magazine for Midwest Gothic and Industrial Culture

Spring - Summer www.EchoImmortalis.net ’06 FEATURES

www.echoimmortalis.net

Regina | Photo by Kevin Foureman | www.DarkMannequin.com

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Dark Mannequin www.darkmannequin.com

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Model: CiN

23 c Dark Mannequin Designs

behind the LENS

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Doppelganger Photography miRRor BDSM life Subcultural study of goth Ohio Goth Group Shoot ‘POTPD’ Podcasting Chain Mail DIY Indy Goth 1986-97 Goths for Jesus... Chasing Fashion Ten Summer Beauty Tips 15 minutes M. Rafael Class Sokaris Art & Design Jeremy B Sean Stevens

DEPARTMENTS reQUIEM 12

13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22

www.modelmayhem.com Member ID: 2172 kevin@darkmannequin.com

Birth of EBM: Insekt’s Eric Van Wonterghem speaks Orange Sector Filament 38 Assemblage 23 Form 30 Danz Poeta Hardwire Y-Luk-O Produkt

blood to INK

Poetry by Mark Watson and Leigh Marino 23 Storm Constantine 26 undead and LOVING IT Summer Event Guide 28 Top 10 Club Songs 31 Concert Reviews 39 on the SHELF DVD and book reviews 41 spin me ’ROUND Album reviews 52 epiTAPH Making a Neil Gaiman film

Contributor Bios

Author of “Goths for Jesus...,” pg. 37 Clubber: Brian is an upand-coming computer programmer from Ohio.

Zlatko Zgombic

Author of various band interviews, pgs. 12-13, 16-18 Scene Man: DJ Zlaya was active in the independent Belgrade underground scene as a member of bands and a promoter. In February 2003, he finally moved to the U.S. and joined The Hard, Fast & Alive 2003 DJ Tour that had already been started by DJ Copper Top and Tonedeaf Records. In May 2003, he began writing for the online electro magazines Electromeda. Currently, DJ Zlaya is part of the Strange Days DJ team along with Mister E DJ, DJ Copper Top and DJ Rony at The Vault in Indianapolis, Ind.

Mr. Industrial Pants

Author of various band interviews and CD reviews, pgs. 14-15, 41-43 Veteran DJ: I.P. has been DJing in Dayton, Ohio since 1994 and has been promoting shows since 1999. He has spun at The Asylum, Pearl Night Club and other Midwest clubs.

Photo by S.C.

Echo Immortalis Staff Editor, Publisher and Designer: Leslie Benson Contributing Writers: Braille, Alaric DeArment, DJ Alyda Stoica, DJ Copper Top, Matthew Greenwood, Kidtee Hello, DJ Mr. Industrial Pants, Leigh Marino, Brian Rankin, Sarah Vain, Jamie Vitro, Mark Watson, J. Whittaker, DJ “Louie Louie” Wood, Jr. and Zlatko Zgombic

nedy, Kerry Scary, Lady Atropos, Makari, Miss Ann, slave Isabella, Sir Joe, Rain and Clara Turk Correspondence: Contact the Editor at echomag@hotmail.com or visit www.echoimmortalis.net. Please remember, anything you send will not be returned. Send letters, news, or press kits to Echo Immortalis c/o Leslie Benson, P.O. Box 3198, Muncie IN 47307.

Publishing Information

Contributing Artists and Photographers: Timothy Agee, Jeremy B, Martin Rafael Class, Dave Denny, Kevin Foureman of Dark Mannequin Designs, FlutterBy Studios, Christopher Kerr Gustafson of Ckreationz, Vanessa Hamilton of Doppelganger Photography, Kidtee Hello Photography, Jim Hibbert, Intimidation Factory, Leslie & Charles, Adrian Magers of Sokaris Art & Design, Renee Marsh, Lisa Pankiewicz, Plastic Puppet, Sean Stevens, Michelle Stolz, Jenny Sturgis, Leslie Verity, Mark Watson and Christopher Weinberg Contributing Models: Acid Grave, Ann Marie, Aria, Sergio Auler, Bacchus, Braille, Cattie, Chris Conner, Cyndie of Wicked Talent, Dangerous Lolitas, Jacurutu: 3, Kaos, Kalel, Melissa Ken-

Disclaimer: Echo Immortalis magazine is published by Echo Immortalis Publishing. All contents are copyright Leslie Benson 2006. All rights reserved. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Echo Immortalis, Leslie Benson, and the magazine’s subsidiaries, affiliates, advertisers, or agents shall not be responsible for errors, misprints, omissions, or any misinformation printed herein. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the express written permission of Echo Immortalis Publishing. We assume no responsibility for opinions of writers or advertisers contained herein and do not necessarily endorse the advertised products. Printed in the USA by Ball State Printing Services.

Echo Immortalis- Subscribe & Save! Magazine for Midwest Gothic and Industrial Culture Photo courtesy of Leslie Benson

Sincerely,

Echo Immortalis Editor, Publisher and Designer

Author of “Storm Constantine...,” poetry and book reviews, pgs. 22-25 Innovator: This graphic artist has been working on her own gothic culture magazine, Chasing Butterflies, with DJ Zlaya. She works in Indianapolis, Ind.

Brian Rankin

Photo by Jeremy B

Since the debut of Echo Immortalis in December 2005, many of you have overwhelmed me with letters of support, offering to interview bands, write reviews, submit original photography and promote the new Web site (www.echoimmortalis.net). My apologies go out to those of you who tried accessing the .com site earlier this year. I unfortunately had the URL stolen from me, but we are full-speed ahead with the .net site from now on. In the last six months, the magazine team has been busy. About 20 new writers and artists have joined the staff as freelancers, and independent stores across Ohio and Indiana have agreed to sell the publication. We have completed a fantastic media kit and sent it to major advertisers and retailers. Also, we received our first magazine subscribers, and my thanks go especially to them for their faith in this project. You help keep EI alive! On that note, many of you may not realize we are selffunded and self-published. EI exists only as a labor of love to network you and others in the Midwest goth/industrial scenes. The magazine is sold below its actual production cost, so we rely on advertisers and subscribers for funding. Any help is appreciated — promoting us by word-of-mouth, through a link to our Web site or even by purchasing the publication online (www.echoimmortalis.net/buymag.htm). Since February 2006, EI has made appearances at Midwest clubs and events, the biggest of which being Wicked Wednesdays, the Indianapolis, Ind.-based fetish night held the first Wednesday of each month at The Vault, 120 E. Market St. We fully support its mission in raising charitable funds for such organizations as the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, the Damien Center and the Big Car Gallery. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/erosnoir. In the coming months, we will be selling magazines at GenCon in Indianapolis and Origins International Game Expo in Columbus, Ohio, among other events. I am particularly proud of this issue of the magazine, because it includes more in-depth articles covering everything from a sociological study on the goth subculture to news about a Neil Gaiman film to the history of the Indianapolis goth scene and more. On the horizon, you can look forward to more vivid photography by local artists, a feature on Gothic Beauty model and fashion editor Acid Pop Tart and articles examining the younger members of the subculture, as well as tips for new parents on how to balance an alternative lifestyle with parenthood. Thanks again for all of your support. Now, enjoy reading!

Leigh Marino

Directions: Cut out or photocopy this box, fill it out legibly and completely, and send it in a stamped envelope with your money order (made out to Leslie Benson) to Echo Immortalis, P.O. Box 3198, Muncie IN 47307

One Year (2 issues): $9.00 Half-Year (1 issue): $5.00

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Letters from You, the Readers Here’s what you said about the debut issue of Echo Immortalis (Fall/Winter 2005-06). “Did I ever tell you thanks for the magazine? If not, I should have. It rocks. It’s conspicuously displayed on my coffee table. Very nice work!” — Alf Butler, Dayton, Ohio journalist and computer programmer “Thanks for the magazine! It’s awesome! Your work is incredible! I’m really appreciative to be a part in there. I showed it off at work today and will do the same in my cosmetology school tomorrow. We need that around here.” — Gothic Hippy Lady, model “I just got the magazines. Wow! I’m so excited! I’m even more excited, because tons of photos from the 2005 (Ohio Goth) Group Shoot were used. The total I think was nine photos. Wow! Needless to say, I have lots and lots of tear sheets! I proudly tore out the pages out and added them into my professional portfolio.” — Lady Atropos, Ohio Scene model, founder of Ohio Goth Group Shoot “Much thanks for the article, review and magazines. Very professionally done.” — War-N Harrison, Hungry Lucy “Hey, I received your mag. Imagine that, something that I actually want to read! I have always been interested in goth culture but have never explored it. This is the first step.” — Kevin Hunter

“Thank you for the copy of Echo Immortalis! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it (even though I disagreed with the usage of the term ‘industrial’ in it). The layout is great, and the magazine is easy to read. Well done!” — David “Juras Avis” Garcia, photographer

“Just wanted to let you know I received the new mag. It’s gorgeous! Very excellent w o r k . D e f i n i t e l y impressed. Be sure to send copies to Cleopatra when you get the chance. Or feel free to send ‘em my way. I’ll be sure they get their hands on it. They could be quite influential in the industry side if you need a nudge in that area. Definitely keep in touch. I like what you’re doing. Aloha!” — Romell Regulacion, Razed in Black

Cover by Leslie Benson | Romell Regulacion photo courtesy of RIB | Keyboard Keys by Chuck Greenwell

Dear Readers,

Submit letters to the Editor at: echomag@hotmail.com

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Cover price $5.99 | Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery of first issue | Product lasts until it is sold out | Questions? E-mail echomag@hotmail.com or visit www.echoimmortalis.net

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Meet Your Doppelgänger behind the LENS Vanessa Hamilton brings empowerment to the body’s canvas by LESLIE BENSON

fashion, the hairstyle, the make-up design or the body language of a subject that really counts. “It’s an art form in the way they dress — like when they wear hair falls,” she says. “And they adorn themselves with pretty little ornaments just like a Christmas tree.” For Hamilton, the photographic works of Steve Diet Goedde sum up her creative vision. “It’s fetish,” she says, “but it shows women in power, and that’s sexy.” Unlike Goedde, however, she relies on a brighter palette. Her work having been compared stylistically to Edvard Munch’s painting, “The Scream,” Hamilton has learned how to make aesthetics pop in a photo. “[Color] brings more life to the image for me,” she says. “It stirs an emotion. Since we see everything in color, it’s surreal and realistic, but that’s the way we learn the world.” Immersing herself in her craft, Hamilton founded Something Wicked This Way Comes, an annual alternative photo shoot and fashion event, in 2004. Four such events have taken place thus far — spanning from Birmingham, Ala., to Atlanta, Ga., to New Orleans, La., to Chattanooga, Tenn. The 2006 event will be held in Indianapolis. “I started it, because I used to go to these horrific events — high-fashion, traditional bikini type shoots,” she says. “Most of the male photographers were condescending.” So, she and two other photographers launched the first event, filtering out shady types and attracting many former bikini models interested in showcasing a new style while trusting a woman’s perspective. Finding her own perspective in one of her photographs — an image of models Cattie and Lex riding a mechanical horse at a past Gothicfest — Hamilton says, “That’s how I feel about myself. Totally off-thewall; just having fun.” Hamilton has seen the country from many such alternative angles. She was born in Ohio, lived in Tampa, Fla. until age 17, moved around many times, and then eventually ended up in Indiana. When not traveling to see bands like Skinny Puppy or the Sisters of Mercy

perform, she spends free time playing video games and shopping. Previously published in Comatose Rose, Boston’s Lollipop magazine, Gothic Beauty, and Bizarre, she is also making a name for herself by selling high-gloss, metallic inked prints at events such as The Vault’s monthly Wicked Wednesday fetish gathering in Indianapolis, Ind. In addition, Hamilton also takes courses at a cosmetology school to appease her taste for high style. Other than hairdos, creativity in the clothing her models wear also drives her photography. “I once made a model’s corset and skirt out of aluminum foil and blue electrical tape,” she says. “And I have a shoot I’m doing where a skirt will be made out of newspapers.” After 1,000 more hours of cosmetology school, the former Betty Page hairdo-wearing Hamilton will “no longer need a make-up artist” for her shoots, she says. “I don’t want people to think the gothic subculture is all about black eyeliner and bats,” she adds. “I want people to see women who are powerful characters with a story.” Subtle aspects of a model that makes them special, such as a tattoo, pretty eyes, or unique hair, inspires Hamilton to photograph them. Such is the case with her satirical “American Goth” portrait — a black-haired Tina Root-esque young woman standing beside her Marilyn Manson counterpart — a reflection of the style that has become a staple of Midwest underground culture.

Log On: www.doppelgangerphoto.com Photo by Vanessa Hamilton, Doppelganger Photography

Opposite page: Kerry Scary | Right: Kerry Scary and Bacchus | Top Right: Cattie | Photos by Doppelganger Photography

ince Grant Wood painted the dreary farmer couple in his infamous 1930’s “American Gothic,” the semblance has become the staple icon of Midwest culture. Recaptured in parodies by contemporary artists starring everyone from George W. Bush to Miss Piggy, none so much as the “American Goth” replica style has stayed true to its title. Indianapolis photographer Vanessa Hamilton of Doppelgänger Photography has tried her hand at the art form. Her version of “American Goth” is just one of more than a hundred clips in the portfolios of a vivacious, camera-savvy, one-woman artistic orgasm. To romantics, contrasting black and white photography may seem the only way to go — it is, after all, how Hamilton began taking pictures in high school (late-night trysts with creativity in the dark room included), but she has since graduated to snagging vivid snapshots of various aspects of gothic and industrial life — wild mood swings capturing nearly two-dimensional images of pinks, oranges, purples… a rainbow of color. With childlike intrigue, characters in her photos burst with life on the page, displaying how beauty can come from any body shape or form. Keeping high standards in tact since her days spent “climbing the corporate ladder” over male counterparts bent on nude photography for less than the sake of art, Hamilton has vowed not to take fully nude shots. Instead, she says she experiments with how sexy her models can look by leaving essential pieces of their clothing on. After all, sometimes it’s the

Vanessa Hamilton (above) uses color to make her models shine in her photographs.

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

miRRor

behind the LENS

Far from a Vanilla Life

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Kalel engaged in body suspension | Photo by Timothy Agee

Clockwise from Top Left: Ann Marie, Cattie, Kerry Scary and Bacchus, Dangerous Lolitas | Photos by Doppelganger Photography

ess than two years ago during an alternative photo shoot, Kalel, an Ohio model and creative writing student in his early twenties, first experimented with BDSM. “I was suspended from a table with a girl choking me from behind,” he says. Recognizing the experience as a “form of ecstasy,” he has since embraced his submissive side during modeling jobs. “It allows me to be someone I’m not allowed to be outside in the ‘real world,’” he says. For people like Kalel, reversing power roles is a turn on, as is nail scratching, biting and body suspension, among other fetishes. In dominant/submissive relationships and other forms of bondage/sadomasochism (BDSM), consensual adults are able to free themselves sexually and gain deeper appreciation for their bodies. But for any alternative lifestyle, there are risks involved. As in all sexual relationships, BDSM partners must communicate and exhibit respect, as well as safely prevent the spread of STDs and unwanted

pregnancy. However, BDSM as a when he first felt sexual attraction lifestyle has more than just physical to women. Internet networking or psychological risks, government introduced him to others interested legislators and organizations have in the BDSM lifestyle, and reading also started cracking down on extensive amounts of literature on individuals’ sexual freedoms. the subject enlightened him on this “I was born Catholic and raised formerly taboo world. Presbyterian,” Kalel says. “My “I’m partial to a woman’s ears parents pushed me into church.” and neck; they have a special For him, religion kept him from attraction to me,” Weir says. “I also exploring this side for years, until simply love the trust and eagerness modeling finally released it. “I involved when I find a woman who felt free — kind of like cutting off I click with, and she is submissive chains,” he says. to me. For lack of a better term, it’s As for pretty much a strict sex/ ‘high’ to know body laws, that a beautiful “With understanding, in Indiana woman wants alone, it’s you to push her, comes the freedom illegal for a take care of her to express ourselves.” man to have and at the same — Sir Joe an erection time do whatever in public, you want.” to marry a According person of the same gender and to Weir, popular types of BDSM soon, abortion may also become include bondage/being tied up, illegal. But there are still people power exchange, humiliation who refuse to bend their sexual and fantasy role-playing. For him, freedoms to legislators’ wills. leading around a female partner/ Dominant Matt Weir of Indiana* “slave” around on a leash while knew he felt an urge to take the lead wearing high heels, a corset and a gag, worked wonders for their sex life. “She was working on posture and was very attracted to heels,” Weir says. “I simply loved her company and eagerness, so to see the men look at her with attraction, and the women look at her with confusion and perhaps jealousy, was very exciting.” Another Indiana dom, Sir Joe, vice president of Indiana Masters and slaves/submissives/switches (IMAS) and member of the Political Action Committee for Personal Freedom, also receives a sexual rush when assuming control in a consensual BDSM scene. “I didn’t become aware of the lifestyle that was related to these internal needs until a little over eight years ago,” he says. “I read the book The Q Letters: True Stories of Sadomasochism by Sir John, and it was like a light came on.” First and foremost, Joe ensures that BDSM is a lifestyle of

by LESLIE BENSON

Photo by Kidtee Hello

Unveiling some truths about bondage and sadomasochism

Models Kaos (top) and Braille demonstrate a “pony” ride. consensual participation, shunning abuse and injury. This is not spousal abuse or disrespect toward women — both genders can enjoy submissive behaviors, depending on personality types. “I never engage in a scene without a complete understanding as to where the limits are to be drawn,” Joe says. “I like safe-words such as ‘red.’ If a scene gets too intense for the submissive, she can say her safe-word and everything stops. She is released, and play doesn’t resume until she is ready. There is a difference between pain and injury. You get a firm spanking; that causes pain. A broken arm is an injury. Injury is a sign of abuse. I do not believe in abuse.” According to Joe, BDSM’s cornerstones are honor and integrity. He believes in teaching sexual responsibility. “With understanding, comes the freedom to express ourselves,” he says. Isabella, 2005 Great Lakes slave title holder and hostess of the Indianapolis Munch, also works as an advocate for BDSM education. “IndyMunch is a once a month dinner gathering at an Indianapolis area restaurant,” she says. “The

continued on pg. 8

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

— “slave” Isabella

“Since high school, I have gone on to spend time as a professional dominatrix, a professional submissive and have spent two years on the Steering Committee for InKink, a statewide alternative lifestyle educational organization,” Isabella adds. “I have also traveled the country attending BDSM conferences and have had the pleasure in being a part of the birth of House of Triskelion (HoT). I currently do fetish modeling and hold the 2005 Great Lakes slave title. Look ma, I’m not dead!”

Midwest BDSM Support Groups:

See www.echoimmortalis.net

Suggested Reading:

1. Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns: The Romance and Sexual Sorcery of Sadomasochism by Philip Miller and Molly Devon 2. Different Loving: A Complete Exploration of the World of Sexual Dominance and Submission by William and Gloria Brame 3. The Ethical Slut: A Guide to Infinite Sexual Possibilities by Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt

2005 holder of the Great Lakes slave title, Isabella, showcases her ball gag and riding crop, as they can be used in S/m scenes.

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

In conjunction with her Great Lakes title, her partner Master Steve holds the 2005 Great Lakes Master title. “But I don’t switch roles within my relationships,” says Isabella. “For example, I am always a slave to Master Steve. I have agreed to do as he says every step of the way in my life. I submit to his will 24/7, because I have high respect for him as a dominant. He is the only one I’ve ever trusted to guide my life in a positive direction. Whenever Master Steve and I engage in an S/m encounter, he is always the top. Although I am not a masochist, the endorphin rush and the cathartic outcomes of our S/m scenes are still amazing experiences.” “Then there is my human pet, who has agreed to submit to my will, although I have not taken on the charge of being as responsible for him as Master Steve has done with me,” Isabella continues. “And last, but certainly not least, is my female partner. When it’s time for us to get kinky, if you will, I am the top and she the bottom. There are no switching roles within my individual relationships. Therefore, I do not see myself as a switch.” To help inform the general public about BDSM, slave Isabella and Master Steve are touring the Midwest giving educational talks for regional and local organizations. “Our current talks are Conflict Resolution and Avoidance, Female Orgasm on Command, The Law and WWITWD, and Punching and Kicking and Slapping… Oh My!” she says. According to Isabella, understanding federal, state and local laws against forms of BDSM will aid any healthy relationship. “There are many people in the BDSM culture who aren’t aware of the laws regarding BDSM practices. That’s one reason Master Steve and I offer a class on the law and BDSM practices,” says Isabella, whose fetishes include having her hair played with, playing with others’ hair, blood, ritualistic cutting and

1. B/d: Bondage and discipline

having her feet played with. “It’s nearly impossible to know all of the risks involved, but educating oneself on the legal, medical and sometimes psychological ramifications of one’s actions is the safest activity that one can engage in when it comes to BDSM practices. The most legal activity that my Master and I practice is my collar. I wear a padlocked chain around my neck nearly every hour of the day, and I have a permanent ‘collar’ tattooed down my spine in Akkadian cuneiform.” The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University — Bloomington , Ind. reports that 12 percent of females and 22 percent of males have had an erotic response to a sadomasochistic story, and 55 percent of females and 50 percent of males have responded erotically to being bitten. With this many people exhibiting an interest in forms of BDSM, it’s hard to believe the war that legislators, including in the Midwest, have waged against alternative sexual practitioners. No organization as much as The Reformatory in Indianapolis, Ind. has received severe backlash regarding BDSM activity. Miss Ann, a professional dominatrix (recently featured on Howard Stern), worked out of her home, performing nonsex-based tickling sessions and dominant/submissive scenes, according to clients’ wishes. Jack Rinehart and WRTV-G of Indianapolis showed up on her doorstep three years ago, asking about her profession. Community and church members found out about The Reformatory, and Miss Ann began receiving harassing phone calls and negative media

attention, accusing her of performing sexual acts out of her home for money. She responded by saying, “How dare you ask a domina to perform an illegal act? No real submissive would ever do that!” Nevertheless, Indianapolis’ Mayor Bart Peterson forced The Reformatory to close its doors, deeming it not properly zoned for adult retail sales. Miss Ann has since hired Mark Smalls as her legal counsel as she battles the City

of Indianapolis in a civil lawsuit, hoping to protect her constitutional rights to freedom of speech. In the meantime, members of BDSM communities worldwide will continue to practice safe forms of alternative sexual practices, educating each other and the general public about the lifestyle’s risks and saving graces. *Name has been changed to protect identity of source

The “B” stands for bondage. Bondage is the restriction of a person’s bodily movement for erotic reasons using fastenings of various kinds. The “d” stands for discipline. Discipline refers to the imposition of rules for behavior on a bottom (someone who receives stimuli in a scene), sometimes by physical action (i.e. rope). People to enjoy tying up others are often called “bondage tops,” and those that enjoy being tied up are often called “bondage bottoms.”

2. D/s: Dominance and submission The “D” when seen as D/s stands for dominance, that is to say the exertion of one’s will over others, or the title dominant. When used in the term “D/s,” the “s” refers to submission. A submissive is one who submits to the will of another. Nowadays, the term M/s has become popular (“M” for Master and “s” for slave), and is generally a form of D/s that is on-going 24/7.

3. S/m: Sadism and masochism

Photo courtesy of Miss Ann

“Although I am not a masochist, the endorphin rush and the cathartic outcomes of our S/m scenes are still amazing experiences.”

According to the Deviants Dictionary (public.diversity. org.uk/deviant/frames.htm) and slave Isabella, BDSM is composed of three parts: Top Left: slave Isabella | Photo by Christopher Kerr Gustafson | Isabella and female partner | Intimidation Factory, J. Hancock | Sir Joe | Doppelganger Photography

The Deviants’ Dictionary: http://public.diversity.org. uk/deviant/frames.htm InKink: http://inkink.org/ Intimidation Factory, LLC: http://intimidation-factory. com/ Great Lakes Leather Alliance: http:// greatlakesleather.org/ The Indianapolis Munch: http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/indymunch House Panopticon, Professional House of Domination: www.housepanopticon.com House of Triskelion: http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/H_of_T/ The Indiana BDSM discussion list: http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/IndianaBDSM/ The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction: www.indiana.edu/~kinsey/ The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom: http://ncsfreedom.org/ The Reformatory: www.thereformatory.com S/m and B/d toys: http://stockroom.com/

idea behind it is to give people who are new to the scene a way to comfortably ease themselves into the community.” For Isabella, she found kinship in the community even before she understood BDSM. “I had always, even as a small child, been fascinated by vampires, really helping solidify my assumption that you were supposed to bite, scratch, use hot wax (and) tie each other down,” Isabella says. “I really didn’t know that the activities I was engaging in were taboo until, at age 17, my mother sat me down one day, after a confrontation about a canine choke chain she had hidden that I wanted back and visible bite and scratch marks on my body, and told me, ‘Your body is a temple.’ Years later, I would ask the question, ‘But to what dark deity?’ Her live-in girlfriend at the time told me that BDSM would kill me.”

Photo by Christopher Kerr Gustafson, Ckreationz

Log On:

(Note: EI does not, nor do these Web sites, promote illegal sexual activity such as prostitution and anything else thereunto related.)

What is BDSM?:

continued from pg. 7

Professional domina Miss Ann is battling Indianapolis in a civil lawsuit after the city closed The Reformatory three years ago.

The “S” when used in the term “SM” (also “S&M,” “s&m,” “sm”) can refer to sadism (getting pleasure or satisfaction from causing others pain). When seen in the term “SM,” the “M” is implying masochistic behavior. A masochist is a person who enjoys receiving pain from others. Those that inflict pain are often simply called “tops,” whereas those that receive it are called “bottoms.” Switches: Someone who goes back and forth between roles, either within a scene or from scene-to-scene. A sadomasochist would be a type of switch who enjoys both giving pain and receiving it. The term “switch” has been used in the past to mainly refer to S/m scenes, but it now implies those who may go between the dominant and submissive role within a relationship.

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

miRRor

The Changing Face of

G th Sociology study showcases Midwest subcultural trends

Photo by Doppelganger Photography

by LESLIE BENSON

The world in his hands: Chris Conner attempts to rejuvinate the Indianapolis goth scene with new nightclub events to draw in younger fans of dark electronic music.

artender Chris Conner, a shaggy, dark-haired 24-year-old senior sociology major from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) slides into the booth at English Ivys, the cozy pub for gay men in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. and orders an iced tea and mozzarella sticks. He arrives late, exhausted from waiting to interview another subject for a study he is undergoing for his thesis project. His yearlong, Institutional Review Board-approved sociological study involves research on self-identity and the goth subculture. 10

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Interviews with 21 individuals (nearly even males to females) from Louisville, Ky., Indianapolis, Ind. and Chicago, Ill., discussing how and why they entered into the subculture, aroused members of the scene from online goth networking message boards. “Three of the participants were devout Catholics, two participants claimed to be pagan or Wiccan and the rest of the sample identified as agnostic or atheist,” says Conner. “The participants were aged from 20-34, with only one participant over 40.” As an insider of the subculture, Conner had to create a research role within his identity and employ techniques such as outside critical examinations by his professor to prevent biased data. “I quickly learned that I needed to probe (during interviews), ignore my ‘gothic understanding’ and examine things as though I was an outsider,” he says. Although researchers like Britain’s Paul Hodkinson, author of Goth: Identity, Style and Subculture (2002) and Conner’s inspiration for the study, acknowledge international similarities between goths, Conner has discovered that people from different U.S. Midwestern cities refer to the subculture with varying terms, styles of dance, attitude and dress. “Hodkinson’s findings are that goth is a trans-local, if not worldwide, phenomenon and that there is a certain degree of homogony that is fostered by the Internet and online discussion,” he says. Conner established four themes in his research defining the gothic identity: dressing the part, establishing a goth identity, labeling oneself as goth and socializing as a goth. Not surprisingly, he discovered the primary characteristic of the subculture is dress. “The first trend that can be seen in the data is that to dress up and to look the part of goth is a ritual,” he says. “It involves ‘finding stores,’ ‘mixing and matching store stuff with made stuff,’ and ‘expression.’” Conner says gothic dress varies from business attire during the day to dressing up at night, with special events inspiring the most elaborate outfits. Other than dress, Conner says the establishment of a goth identity consists of two parts: forming an identity and applying a label to it. “During interviews I asked every respondent when they started becoming interested in goth,” he says. “The most common answer was that they started behaving like a goth during high school. They referred to their introduction to the goth subculture in relation to popular goth music.” After goths get involved with the music, they associate it with the fashion and soon become part of a group of like-minded individuals. “Members increasingly reflect mainstream and privileged group status consisting of mainly upper middle class, white, educated, employed, and technologically-savvy individuals,” he says. “Once participants have established their role or identity as a member of the gothic subculture, their identity is further reinforced through the attendance of (non-mandatory) gothic events,” Conner continues. This includes traveling to other city’s goth club

“For some, dress is a selfdefense mechanism.” — Chris Conner

nights to connect with others. “Looking at it from a sociological standpoint, traveling is the equivalent of sending an ambassador or emissary to a neighboring kingdom,” he says. “It builds community, and lets others know that there is trade in the form of subcultural knowledge to be gained.” Since the Echo Immortalis interview at English Ivys, Conner’s study has enabled him to speak to hundreds of people at this year’s Convergence XII, held in April in New Orleans, La. Other feats under his belt since recently winding down his research include the debut of Eden: Celebrating Diversity at Talbott Street, a benefit for the Damien (AIDS research) Center, and Pulse, a new electronic/trance club night held every Wednesday (except the first week of the month), at The Vault in Indianapolis. A renaissance man helping to hold the Indianapolis underground music scene on his shoulders, this promoter has used his sociological research to network in the scene, in effect solidifying his own self-image as a newly “out” gay male and someone interested in revitalizing the Indiana club scene.

The man behind the study

Conner himself first entered the scene after hearing The Smith’s “How Soon is Now.” Though not particularly goth, the ‘80’s rock band’s praise from traditional scene veterans led him to also admire industrial music and synth-pop. Love of the music inspired weekly clubbing, as well as working at The Vault Thursday nights as a bartender for Strange Days. There, Conner met fellow kindred who helped launch his senior thesis, enabling him to explore his interests and self-identity. “Coming out of the closet and dealing with all that, the goth scene has been the most accepting scene,” Conner says. “At a goth club, more than anywhere else, I feel ok. I can wear whatever I want. But I think that women have a far easier time with bisexuality (and homosexuality) than guys do. Women are allowed to be freer. Though, it’s regional. Louisville has a huge gay scene. (People there) gender bend. Promoters are androgynous. Guys wear skirts and Catholic schoolboy outfits. But at Neo in Chicago, they wear black jeans and spiked bracelets.” Travel, networking and interviews opened Conner’s eyes to the differences between Midwest goth scenes. Clothing styles aside, other variances include how people label themselves. After compiling data, he found that Chicago scenesters consider themselves “industrial,” snarling at the outdated term “goth,” whereas Indianapolis folks embrace the

term, and Louisville clubgoers view “goth” as a negative label placed by society on people who follow alternative lifestyles. While no one wants to be labeled, some terms and trends help members of the subculture identify with one another. This is true with styles of clothing, locations in which time is spent and types of music purchased by individuals. Labels do, however, run the gauntlet. “In Louisville, goths from the ‘80s call themselves ‘peace punks.’ In Chicago, their identity isn’t as strong, because there’s so much to do. You’re not goth; you’re industrial,” says Conner. “I’m kind of the bridge. Sometimes I’m cyber goth, punky or fetishy. As most goths get older, they dress like this because they feel comfortable in the clothes. For some, dress is a self-defense mechanism.” In the March 21, 2006 article “I have seen the future — and it’s goth” by Laura Barton (The Guardian, London), Sussex University’s Dr. Dunja Brill, states that even though most subcultures formed during one’s youth encourage rebellion through illegal activities and dropping out of school, “most goths are well educated, however. They hardly ever drop out and are often the best pupils. The subculture encourages interest in classical education, especially the arts.” Conner’s research concurs with Brill’s statements. “Everyone (I have interviewed) has a unique background — journalism and sociology…. I even interviewed a police officer,” he says. Conner’s next step is applying to an Indiana graduate school and continuing to support events such as Eden and Pulse, hoping to attract younger crowds to ensure the stability of the Midwest scene. For him, goth clubs and events “are a destination that transcend all time and space,” Conner says. “They’re kind of sacred.”

Photos by Doppelganger Photography

miRRor

Conner studied the Midwest gothic subculture for his IUPUI senior thesis.

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

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Reuniting Orange Sector

Birthing EBM

The story of Insekt’s Eric Van Wonterghem

Lars Felker discusses EBM then... and now

EI: It has been over a decade since the last Insekt studio album, In the Eye, and the end of Insekt itself. It is 2006, and the new album Teen Machine was recently released. What motivated your decision to rejoin creative forces with Mario Vaerewijck for another Insekt release? EW: “The main reason was the reunion gig at the BIM Festival (2004). It took a while to find the time in between our other projects to write and (update) our sound. The response to the gig was so huge that we decided to continue with a studio album.” EI: Your new album, Teen Machine, is supported by the single release of “Bambifucker.” What other tracks are being considered for remixing/ single releases? EW: “The remixes are done by Funker Vogt, Armageddon Dildos, Haujobb, PNE, Spetsnaz and Neon Electronics and will all appear on the disc.” EI: How are things regarding promotion and distribution of the new album? EW: “I would have released the album on my own label, Psycho Dynamics, but later we decided to shop the album, and Dependent (Records) made us an offer.”

EI: In the ’80s, you gave endless support to many new bands and did studio work for almost the entire EBM scene with your legendary Prodam Studios. Were Prodam and the excitement over sound engineering the main reason for your departure from the Klinik? EW: “I liked to work and produce other bands, so I started Prodam Studios. From the beginning, it was a success. Not many engineers where open-minded enough to master and mix electronic music at that time. I ran the studio for about six years. It was a great period in my life, but it also meant that I was no longer able to be a member of Klinik.” EI: After your departure from the Klinik, you opted to start Insekt in 1989 with Mario Vaerewijck of Vomito Negro. What was the original story behind the formation of Insekt? EW: “I began doing sound and programming for Vomito. That’s how I started to work with Mario. The things we wanted to do did not fit into the Vomito sound, so we decided to start our own project.” EI: You and Mario had a brilliant musical history working together in bands like Vomito Negro, Absolute Body Control and the Klinik. Albums We Can’t Trust the Insekt, Stress and Dreamscape are masterpieces, in my opinion — further proven when Brian Eno and U2 claimed Insekt as their favorite band. Suddenly your name was appearing in mainstream media. Insekt even aired on MTV’s 120 Minutes. This brought attention and interest not only in Insekt but to the entire dark electronic scene. What was that time like for you? EW: “It was a short, funny moment. Suddenly we were discovered, and big TV stations and magazines were at my door to have a look at these two Belgian guys who made this weird music. But it faded away very soon.”

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Eric Van Wonterghem and Mario Vaerewijck are back with Insekt. EI: This media exposure was followed by a live album, Insekt Live Creeps, captured during performances in Yugoslavia. In 1993 came the last studio album, In the Eye, and the end of the band. Why did you decide to disband Insekt at a time when it seemed your momentum was so strong? EW: “We did not want to split up the band but just decided to stop for a while. We just lost track of the time. The only thing we can do is start again now, but with a lot more experiences and energy.” EI: After 1993, you stopped work on Insekt and began assisting your old partner in crime, Dirk Ivens with his new project, Dive. You also partnered with him on Sonar as practically a full-time member. Additionally, you started your own project, Monolith. This is all on top of your day job working as a sound engineer. Are you a workaholic? EW: “Music is a way of life for me, but I do take breaks like a normal human being.” EI: The last Monolith album, 15 Seconds, and the material you played on the last U.S. tour (Fall 2005) was exciting. Does the new album, Talisman, (released in May 2006 by Alfa-Matrix Label Group) follow in the same fashion? EW: “The album is more rhythmicoriented with typical Monolith soundscapes and bass lines.” EI: One of your first projects, Absolute Body Control, has recently released a comprehensive retrospective, Lost/Found. The two-

CD set includes 44 tracks and is virtually a complete collection of the band’s recorded work. This was welcome news, since apart from one CD release, Eat This (1993), it was impossible to find any of the band’s recordings in existence today. Who came up with the idea to re-release this material? EW: “It was something that was on our minds for a long time because of the many requests (Dirk) got via e-mail from fans everywhere. A new label, Tarantulla, finally convinced us to do it, and we re-mastered the old tracks before the original fourtrack tapes were destroyed. We are happy that 25 years after the start of Absolute Body Control, this album is now released.” EI: What is your expectation for the new Insekt? EW: “We started in April 2006 with a European tour to promote the band, and our goal is to not stop after this. We would like to schedule more shows and next year another CD release or EP. I believe the future is looking good, but time will tell.”

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hen we talk about the golden years of European neo-EBM and the dark wave scene, we must mention the Zoth Ommog label. What Wax Trax and Play it Again Sam Records were in the ’80s, Zoth Ommog was in the ’90s. All the best electro-industrial music you could think of was on the Zoth Ommog label — Front Line Assembly, X Marks the Pedwalk, Leæther Strip, Armageddon Dildos, Front 242, Funker Vogt, Lights of Euphoria and Orange Sector. Not as known to audiences, Orange Sector was one of the most exciting EBM acts in the history of the genre. And they’re back! Orange Sector released a new album, Bassprodukt, earlier this year. The following is an interview with Lars Felker (synths, drums, lyrics) of Orange Sector. Witness the history. EI: Orange Sector is most known for its old-school body music, derived from the likes of DAF, early Die Krupps and Nitzer Ebb. What can we expect from Bassprodukt? Does the new album reflect your roots or usher in a different sound for you? LF: “It is 100 percent old-school EBM. Bassprodukt captures the sound that we were always striving for. We wanted to create a perfect album. There was no room for compromises.” EI: What are your major plans after this release? LF: “We will play a few live shows in Germany. We still have many more ideas and are working on new songs. We are thinking about releasing an EP later this year with four or five new songs and newer versions and remixes of our older material.” EI: How do plan on promoting the new album? LF: “Fifteen years ago when we formed Orange Sector, there was no World Wide Web for music

promotion. Today, there are many more outlets to get your music out to the people. We did a special version of the song ‘Tanzbefehl’ for a big German magazine called Sonic Seducer. This is a good source for promotion in Germany. Torben is currently working on distribution for Bassprodukt in the USA and Russia.” EI: Tell us a bit about the history of Orange Sector and the internal dynamics between you and Martin Bodewell (vocals, synths, programming). How did the band start? I heard that you guys ran into one another in a club wearing the same Nitzer Ebb t-shirt! LF: “Yeah, that’s it. We were both in the same club, danced to the same kind of music and yeah, wore the same shirt. (laughs) Martin was like a brother from another mother.” EI: In 1993, you signed with Zoth Ommog and released your first album, Faith. At that time, things were happening quickly for Orange Sector. How did it feel being an integral part of such a great scene? LF: “It all happened overnight. Martin and I were fans of most of the Zoth Ommog bands. Zoth was the biggest record label in electronic music. Therefore, they were our target. It’s funny, because today it feels like it was so simple. We sent a demo tape to Talla 2XLC, and just a few weeks later we started recording our first album. I am proud about the fact that we were part of the holy Zoth Ommog family. It was like a dream.” EI: With the second album, Flashback (1994), things got even better. In the same year, you followed up an EP of covers, Kids in America. You definitely had set the stage for a bright future. Instead, you left the band and thus ended the original Orange Sector — until now. What happened? LF: “Kids in America was not a big hit in Germany. Many people had

by ZLATKO ZGOMBIC

problems with the old-school material. I left the band for many reasons. I was very tired, burned out — long nights in the studio, long days on the road for touring. It was not possible to make a living from the music, so I decided to go to college. That was a sure fire way to plan out the rest of my life.”

Photo courtesy of Orange Sector

hen we say EBM (electronic body music), we think of Belgium. The country invented it. But before Front 242 even came up with the name “EBM” in 1985, four years earlier, Dirk Ivens and Eric Van Wonterghem had Absolute Body Control and Body Records. Then came the Klinik, Insekt, Dive, Sonar and Monolith — giants of the genre. From 1980 until the present, Wonterghem has been working hard for the sake of the musical genre. And he is still on the run.

Photo courtesy of Insekt

by ZLATKO ZGOMBIC

EI: What have you been doing since then? Lars Felker and Martin Bodewell have LF: “I completed my studies and reunited EBM band Orange Sector. started a family. My son is the best EI: Apart from your sound, the thing that ever happened to me. He process of making music has is a huge Orange Sector fan! I wrote changed a lot in the last 10 years. no music during those years. I just What is your opinion about it? Do listened to and purchased records. I you still prefer analogue machines? had no contact with the electronic LF: “Damn, it was amazing to go music scene.” in the studio again. Everything has changed. It’s much easier now to EI: Tell us about your inspiration make your music sound good, but and motivation in creating music we needed four weeks to handle it. and ideas. Does the political Everything was new, and at first, it situation in the world make it easier looked more complicated. We used to express yourself, or do you find it mostly software in the studio, but more difficult, since you’ve already with old sounds. The funny thing is been through similar circumstances that we don’t have any of our own when Germany faced many political equipment. We sold everything a changes? few years ago. Fortunately, we have LF: “The lyrics from Orange Sector a friend with a studio. His name represent various problems from is Tim Ruschmeier. We produced personal life, society or politics. The Bassprodukt with him.” lyrics are important and show that EBM is not simply hard electronic EI: …Which means Orange Sector music with only stupid lyrics about isn’t going on tour with two laptops war. Orange Sector is not a political instead? band. I just write about the things LF: “A laptop is too that go through my head.” modern. We are old school! (laughs)” EI: How do you see the electronic scene today? LF: “Even though I make electronic music, I am not a part of the www.orange-sector.de scene. I have a family and lots of www.infactedresponsibilities. There is no time to go to a club every week.” recordings.de

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Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

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Tom Shear of Assemblage 23 | Photo by Jenny Sturgis

Introducing... Filament 38 by DJ MR. INDUSTRIAL PANTS

Log on: www.filament38.com

nderneath an industrious haze from Lake Erie blanketing Cleveland, Ohio, lives Filament 38. We had a few moments to speak with founder/vocalist/songwriter Ash about opening for Front 242 and recording his expressive, electro-industrial music.

show like that a young age definitely influenced me. I’d also like to hop on a Suicide Commando show if he comes to the U.S. this year.” EI: The album Fractured put your name out there and Unstable glued you on the map. Songs such as “Interface” appear quite frequently on club playlists. What were the differences in recording the two CDs, if any? A: “When I originally signed to NGP, part of the contract was delivering a finished album in two months. On paper that looked great, but in reality it was very tight. We did get to apply everything we learned from the Fractured sessions when we did Unstable. It took almost six months to record and mix. We also had much better studio gear this time around.” EI: Filament 38 is a project that receives some assistance with the help of live members. Tell us a little more about them and how they contribute to the project. A: “Right now, it’s Creep and I. Live, Creep plays keyboard and sings backing vocals. I met him about 11 or 12 years ago when he was playing in another band. When I started F38, I brought him in right away to start mixing and getting the project ready to play live. In the studio, Creep does all the mixing and final production of the material. He also has the painstaking task of recording my vocals and yelling at me when I’m not giving 100 percent

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

in the booth. We’ve had a number of keyboard players throughout the years, and I’ve always been open for input.” EI: If you could record a song in the studio with anyone, who would it be? A: “Chris Randall from SMG. I don’t like all his stuff, but I think he is great songwriter. I know that sounds weird, but even the songs I’m not found of are structured and composed really well. I think the two of us together could hammer out some really interesting work.” EI: To those unfamiliar with the Cleveland, Ohio scene, give us a little more info on what it’s like in your town. A: “F38 and the day job keep me really busy, so when I go out, it’s normally to The Chamber or to see a show. The Chamber (11814 Detroit Rd., Lakewood, Ohio) is Cleveland’s goth/industrial bar and has been going strong for almost 10 years

Assemblage 23 Discusses Music, Marriage

now. There are some good people putting a lot of time into promoting shows, events and DJ nights.” EI: So what’s in store for Filament 38 in the future? A: “A new release, more shows and a big announcement — I would like to say a European festival, fingers crossed, more fog, and always, some tequila.”

by DJ MR. INDUSTRIAL PANTS

A Ash of Filament 38 | Photo by Elijah Davis | Graphic (Top Left) courtesy of Filament 38

EI: Filament 38 has been around for quite some time, but for those who may not yet know you, give us a little info on the band. A: “We hit the gates running in 2001 and really haven’t stopped. We’ve played a lot of shows, released two CDs and have been on a handful of compilations. Some highlights would be opening for Front 242, Covenant and Hocico. We make moody energetic EBM industrial and don’t plan to stop anytime soon.” EI: Have you come down from the excitement of opening for Front 242 last year? To those who missed it, give us a little insight on your perspective of the show. A: “It was a real honor to open for them and something I’ll remember for a long time. That was the most nervous I’ve ever been before playing, but once I took the stage and spit some beer, everything came together. Front 242 played an old-school set; I couldn’t believe some of the gems they played. I think what gave me the most chills was being there early when they sound-checked, and it was just us standing there while they ran through ‘Lovely Day.’” EI: Now that you’ve shared the stage with such a legendary act, who else would you like to share a stage with? A: “Front Line Assembly! I still remember seeing the Caustic Grip Tour and being floored. Seeing a

ssemblage 23 has become one of the bigger names within the EBM scene over the last few years. Tom Shear, the man behind the band, started out in Philadelphia, Pa. before moving to Seattle, Wash. several years ago. Echo Immortalis caught up with Shear to find out about the music he’s currently working on and his recent marriage. EI: With your tour last year, you getting married and working on your Nerve Filter side project, was there anything specific that really made 2005 special? TS: “Obviously, the highlight for me was getting married. We got to see a lot of friends we hadn’t seen in awhile, and it was just a really cool experience all around. The U.S. tour was also a great experience for us — easily our most successful so far.” EI: Tell us more about Nerve Filter. TS: “Back in the early ’90s, after I had finished the first

full A23 tape, Wires, I felt kind of uninspired, so I decided to try making music in a totally different style. Some compilation tracks came out around that time (actually, Nerve Filter appeared on compilations before A23 ever did), and I did a couple remixes for bands like Scar Tissue and Converter. It really doesn’t sound like A23 at all. It’s kind of a mish-mash of styles — IDM, techno, drumn-bass, dub, ambient, electro, soundtrack music.” EI: Is there anything else that you work on outside of Assemblage 23 and Nerve Filter? TS: “I do some production work for other bands. I just started producing a Seattle band called SD6. We began working on their album three years ago, but the singer landed his dream job of writing comic books. In fact, both my wife and I make cameo appearances as newscasters in a G.I. Joe comic he wrote.” EI: What are your plans with Assemblage 23 in 2006?

TS: “I’ve started working on the next A23 album just this week, so most of the year will be spent in the studio. We’ll also be playing some shows in South Africa for the first time, which I am very excited about.” EI: Ok, enough of the small talk. Everyone wants to know how you and Megan met. TS: “Heh. Well, after Failure came out, we did a minitour of the West coast. Megan happened to be the drummer for two of the bands that opened for us. I was dating someone else at the time, but I couldn’t help but notice the cute drummer girl. Cut to several years later, and as fate would have it, when I was moving to Seattle from Philly, Megan was moving to Seattle from Portland. So we hung out and kind of explored the city together when we arrived. Things just clicked, and the rest is history.” EI: Outside of backandtotheleft, what other acts are in your area?

TS: “Seattle probably has more bands per capita than any other place I have been. Obviously, there are more well-known acts such as KMFDM, Converter, SMP and Glis, but there is a lot of up-and-coming talent as well. I already mentioned SD6. They have a groove-driven, melodic sound. Their singer, Brandon, is phenomenal.” EI: How has the equipment you have used evolved over the years? TS: “I still use my Ensoniq SQ80, which was one of my first synths ever. I still have my old EPS-16+ too, although it is in storage at the moment.” EI: When not working on music, what do you do in your spare time? TS: “I like to cook a lot. In the summer, I like to go camping whenever possible, but mostly I just enjoy spending time with my wife and our cats.”

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Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

reQUIEM who are not 21 yet. In a couple of years when they get older, (alternative nightclubs are) going to be overcrowded again, and we’re going to have a great time like back in the ’90s.” EI: Let’s hope we’re around when it comes! JM: “Hahaha, I’ll be there.”

Indy’s premier industrial band unleashes new sound and upcoming album tour

Photo and graphic courtesy of Form 30

by ZLATKO ZGOMBIC

Form 30 of Indianapolis, Ind. once included members Jamie Vitro (left), Jason Milner (middle) and Dave Alusik (right). The new band features Milner, Alusik and others, to be announced this summer during the band’s upcoming tour.

hen it comes to the goth/industrial music scene in the Midwest, there is one name you shouldn’t miss — Form 30. For nearly 12 years, founder, vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Jason Milner has been behind this project. Beginning life as Nimbus, the band recently evolved into a new name, a new sound and a new era of industrial music in Indianapolis, Ind. EI: Form 30 is the one and only real industrial rock band from Indy — at least it’s been that way since I moved here three years ago. We have known each other for a few years, and the entire goth community here is like a small family. So, it’s about time to hear the story of Form 30.

JM: “I started playing music live in 1994. Back then it was just three members: me, Von and Greg. Then Von moved across the country to do some other stuff, and it took about a year for me to get down to business again, form a new band and learn how to sing, since Von was gone. All that got straightened up in 1996. But that line up didn’t last too long, since the guitar player moved to California and I had to learn how to play guitar really quickly (laughs). But after that, I got the line up that’s been involved with the band until (the current) album (Ignited, Fall 2005): Dave Alusik, Jamie Vitro and myself. This line up was formed in 1999. The first show we played was in the beginning of 2000.”

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

EI: Why did you change band names from Nimbus to Form 30? JM: “We had some complications when we pushed promotion nationwide. We got ‘dot-com’ (developed a Web site) and started getting ourselves out there seriously. In that process we found out that there were 27 other bands in the U.S. with the name Nimbus.” EI: Tell me about the major influences on the band. What kinds of motivations did you have at the beginning? JM: “I started playing piano when I was 11. In general, the major interest in music I gained is thanks to a brilliant man named Jim. He was my piano instructor and my first influence. I was playing piano and keyboards, but I really didn’t get serious until I heard the first Nine Inch Nails album, Pretty Hate Machine. That is when I decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.” EI: When I take a look at the material on your previous album, Threshold (as Nimbus), and compare it to the last album, Ignited, there is a lot of improvement in your creation and production of sound. It is much more mature. What you can say about it? JM: “You pretty much explained it in full. What I am currently working on — and my major goal regarding writing music — is to get more into the music itself. It’s not necessarily about coming up with some new style in industrial music, but to have people hear it in a different way.” EI: On Ignited, you had a lot of pop and electronic influences. There was still guitar used, but not as much as with Nimbus. What direction are you taking now with Form 30?

JM: “Actually there are three directions I am taking right now (laughs). I am trying to merge them all together into one, but as a musician (and) for me personally, I want to have one path. So the direction I am going right now is, probably, very much electroindustrial with very little guitar. Every aspect of it has to be full and perfect. You can take Nine Inch Nail’s Pretty Hate Machine as an example. I played that cassette for a year and a half straight in my car after it was released. Still, every time I listened to it, I would hear something new and exciting regarding the sound. That’s (our) goal.” EI: You guys were known for playing a lot of live shows. After all these years, where did you guys get the best response from an audience? JM: “Our first show — a music festival called Smallapalooza. They heard our demo and instantly put us as headliners. It was a great honor. I think that there were around 600 people. Later during the gig, they had to call security to calm down the audience. I think someone broke their nose. A couple other people got injured in the mosh pit — a few broken ribs here and there. It was a good time.” EI: Not that many bands can say that their first show was a huge hit. JM: “No, not very many (laughs). But, as you know, it was the beginning of the ’90s. It was the greatest time for U.S. industrial music in general. Now it’s very different, but I can still say, from what I could see in the last couple of years of going to the club, that it’s picking up again. It’s slow, but it is coming. There are lots of people

EI: Tell me about the feedback regarding Ignited. You guys played a lot of shows right after it was released. How did people react to the new sound and the album? JM: “The change definitely helped. A lot of people got excited about us again. We have had a lot of changes as a band. Jamie left us after this album and tour. He is working on his own project called Danz Poeta, so it’s only Dave and me now.” EI: Tell me about the process of making the sound and music. What is different from the hardware (synthesizers) used in

the past and today’s software? What do you like better, software or hardware? JM: “Wow, man. If you would have asked me a couple of months earlier, I’d have said the hardware, but now it’s software. When we started, Von and I had two keyboards. This is back when no one really knew anything about MIDI and how it works. We programmed the songs into both synthesizers. We had to match all of the beats. Later on, I started to do it on one keyboard, MIDI-ing it to the other keyboard. It wasn’t until the late ’90s that we started using computers — when the software started being really usable. Just recently I got the software that Trent Reznor is using. I am all into that now. It’s just an amazing piece of programming. But still, my favorite synthesizer is my Yamaha Motif ES8.” EI: What is next after this album? JM: “Jamie is gone, (but) I have

my brother back on drums, and it’s a good time for that because I am working on the album. But once I have it straightened up and we all get the same idea, we will play everywhere we can.” EI: And at the end, I have to ask you the hardest question. What are your top 10 albums of all time? JM: “Ahhhh, man. I have to order another drink before I am able to answer to that (laughs) 1. Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine 2. Tori Amos – Little Earthquake 3. Depeche Mode – Violator 4. Razed in Black – Overflow 5. Front 242 – Back Catalogue 6. Front 242 – Up Evil 7. Sarah McLachlan – Fumbling Toward Ecstasy 8. The Cure – Disintegration 9. Skinny Puppy – Last Rights 10. Placebo – Sleeping with Ghosts”

Send letters to the editor of Echo Immortalis Magazine:

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reQUIEM

Danz Poeta Searches for Musical Soulmates Log on:

by ZLATKO ZGOMBIC

EI: So does it literally mean a “dancing poet?” JV: “Ah, no! As far as the origin of the name, I do not see myself to be a dance poet, (but) I did kinda have the idea that people who dance could be dancing poets of music.” EI: You do really well when it comes to dance beats and sound, but tell me about this poet side. Considering that you are calling yourself a poet, even in the form as a musical project, are you setting some expectations for people lyrically? JV: “My lyrics are always pretty serious. They are in the dark romantic vein. I do not write lyrics any differently than when I was in a gothic rock band, so my lyrics are sometimes very abstract.” EI: You mentioned that you were in a goth band. What is your musical background and history? JV: (laughs) “I do not want to give years, because it dates me, but I started in high school playing British invasion music. Then I started playing social-political rock, but that quickly evolved into a gothic rock band. I generally thought that’s been done so many times. Definitely, the thought was that there was much more of an artistic freedom creatively in gothic music. Also, I identified much more

Hardwire: The Hardcore Industrial Tech

EI: So what was the reason you started doing electronic music? Where did the idea of the transition come from? JV: “Generally, I just wanted to play again. I joined Nimbus (now Form 30) for the simple reason that I couldn’t find people to join my band. I started doing electronic music thanks to my association with them. For me it was a natural next step.” EI: It definitely gives you more opportunities to manipulate sounds and styles easily. You do not have to be constrained into one only sound and style. JV: “Stylistically, I would see Danz Poeta first as an electronic band, secondly as a dark electronic band. Thirdly, I see it as European-flavored style as well.” EI: You mention European style; tell me more about that. I think Germans and Italians in particular compose the best dark wave music. What’s your opinion? JV: “Danz Poeta is definitely in the realm of dark wave music. Melotron is a perfect example of what my influence is. They are just a cool German electro dance band —artistic and romantic in many aspects of their style. (My) general influences are Melotron, Pulcher Femina, Covenant, Razed in Black, Assemblage 23, Clan of Xymox, Icon of Coil (and) The Sisters of Mercy.” EI: What are your plans regarding Danz Poeta? How and where do you see the band in the future? JV: “I am trying to launch Danz Poeta as a band seeking a record label. This is not a hobby. Some people can call it a serious hobby. The current plan is to self-release the (debut) album in June 2006 (Dance for the Dead). Artistically, the vision is to grow further with

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

by J. WHITTAKER (of Dayton, Ohio’s JFX316, www.myspace.com/jfx316 and Morphic Resonance, a hardcore industrial band, www.morphicslut.com)

Log on: www.hardwirecentral.com

I Danz Poeta is Jamie Vitro’s newest musical endeavor — currently an industrial solo project based out of Indianapolis, Ind. electronic music, then to go deeper and to get my music to be more complicated artistically.” EI: I wish you all the best, but do you realize that you will have to tour to help promote your music? JV: “Yeah. As far as the live aspect, I do not want to fight it. I just want to take it as it comes. I am in a small market right now…. We’ll see. One step at a time.” EI: What is your general motivation as an artist? JV: “My inspiration is red wine. You can print that! (laughs) When it comes to my art, I draw heavily on my tormented past — on ideas about suffering and just about the human condition. A lot of my songs are about interpersonal relationships. I look at them through a lens of my religious beliefs too, so I see a lot of scenes of suffering and transcendence. There is a lot of play between light and darkness, (which) comes from

my Catholic upbringing. I (also) get inspired by the architecture from the gothic period of old Europe — all of those great cathedrals. I am very influenced by the images of the places I have seen. One of my hobbies is shooting photography of statuary, particularly angels, (and) I am influenced by the time I spent in Vienna, Rome (and) Italy.” EI: Is Danz Poeta going to stay a one-man band, or do you have plans to expand the line-up? JV: “I am still looking for my Danz Poeta soulmates. In a way, I am like a Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Studio is all me; live is a band. But, if a Danz Poeta soulmate is out there, please submit the application.” EI: So you are leaving it open? You wouldn’t mind having a partner? JV: “I wouldn’t mind it at all. There is a lot of work with Danz Poeta. I would look forward to it becoming a band. I do work well with others.”

Top Left: Mike Marsh | Bottom Right: Nick Phrasavath (drums) | Photos courtesy of Hardwire

EI: Where did the name Danz Poeta come from? JV: “‘Poeta’ is the Italian word for poet. ‘Danz’ was borrowed, originally, from a pizzeria in Rome, Italy.”

with it in an artistic and political way. I spent 10 years playing in gothic rock bands. It was roughly from 1986-96. Then I took a break for five or six years.”

Photo by Michelle Stolz

anz Poeta, as one would call it, is the “fresh” blood of Indianapolis, Ind.’s electronic scene. After opening for Razed in Black in 2005, solo musician Jamie Vitro proved that something promising was on its way. Kraftwerk once sang about “Computer Love;” Danz Poeta’s Vitro sings about true romance while mixing hard beats. Electronic music in Indy may never be the same.

www.danzpoeta.com

t’s funny how things work out. Formed in late 1999, I came across Hardwire searching through the then-still-cool MP3.com to find bands to play with. The sound: industrial sounds, synthesized and almost mechanized beats, processed vocals and heavy guitars — at times, not unlike Megadeth and Anthrax. Having only played a handful of shows out-of-state, including a few in Ohio, aside from a micro tour that took us through the Western states, Hardwire is still one of the many underground secrets in the industrial scene. Supporting their newest album, Keyboard Cowboy, Hardwire’s members, Ryan Hutman (vocals, programming, synths), Nick Phrasavath (drums, newest member) and Mike Marsh (Leviathan aka Maxwell Stark on guitar and vocals), continue to push their craft and music to new levels. “Ryan and I knew each other in high school,” says Hardwire stringman Marsh. “We also had another friend who played guitar as well as I did. That friend, Richard, was having a party, and Ryan had brought along this tape which had a bunch of remixes and electronic music on it that he had made. After checking it out, we kind of decided it might be cool to record some guitar just for the hell of it. I think we had already made up the band name and had our first scratch track by the following weekend.” Early songs like “Flesh” and “Snuff Machine” showed that Hardwire was playing for keeps. Having seen their live show and the reactions they receive from crowds, it’s easy to see they can hold their own in any venue. “(Playing live) is

important for a number of reasons,” Marsh says. “Anyone can make studio music. Hell, it only takes one guy to compose a symphony, but that one guy can’t perform it. I guess in my mind, you’re not a musician unless you’re playing music rather then just ‘synthesizing’ it in your makeshift studio. Playing it live also gives you the chance to meet your fans and get their real reactions to the music.” “(Keyboard Cowboy) is kind of a loose concept album that functions more like a time line of Hardwire’s journey through the Phoenix underground,” Marsh says. “Most of the stuff has a solid basis in the cyberpunk subgenre, inspired by William Gibson’s Necromancer, aside from other things. I guess you could say at least in my mind, we were creating this because no one else was. We also recorded the album by our own means with whatever electronic shit we could afford. We (went through) a bunch of trial-and-error as we taught ourselves how to record without going to a real studio.” The development of the record, as well as the development of the band itself, came from living and playing in the Arizona music scene. “Well, Arizona has a good music scene — a very closely knit one. I’m assuming this is the same for any city you go to,” says Marsh. “There are also not many

electronic or industrial metal bands around here that actually play shows. So, unfortunately, after you do the club circuit for a few months, you get to know everyone very well. I can also say that doing a bunch of shows with metal bands made us go more of that route for a while; this is where a good lot of our fans came from.” Even though the band members have some other side projects, Hardwire is front and center. “Ryan makes some regular techno on the side,” says Marsh. “Aside from the music, I have co-produced a

film that’s being released through Brain Damage in 2006. I work with another friend who I’ve done film work through, including acting. We have a production company called Ominous Productions.” Future plans for Hardwire are simple. “We just want to get the word out about us. When I see the kind of following KMFDM has, I know there is some hope for us. I’d also like to tour Europe, aside from playing all through the United States. Touring and playing live all the time is where I think the real fun is.”

reQUIEM

Urban Tracks

Counting Their Lucky Charms

Produkt of New York mixes industrial soundscapes

Y-Luk-O takes break after a busy year

by BRAILLE

Log on:

www.yluko.com

Photos courtesy of Y-Luk-O

erman-American industrial band Y-Luk-O recently released Resistance after the April 2005 success of Elektrizitätswerk. Vocalist/guitarist/ programmer Yluko discusses touring and running a German band from his home in Chicago, Ill.

hybrid musician relying on electronic music samples and loops, Produkt’s Sean “Satyr” Tracy of Copiague, N.Y. mixes beatheavy urban tracks. Here’s what he has to say about his music. EI: What has Produkt been up to recently? ST: “Recording, recording, recording! That’s been the true constant in my life at the moment. Being that this is a solo project, it is extremely time-consuming. So far, more than 50 tracks have been completed. Now I’m trying to raise the capital to get the CD pressed and ready for aural consumption. I’ve also kicked out a couple of remixes and collaborations for some fellow artists (Encounter Box, Braille, Asy9, Team Sleep and Elyzium).”

Yluko (left) and Leo von Leibnitz recently released two albums, Resistance and Elektrizitätswerk.

EI: Which songs hold the most personal meaning to you? Y: “‘Disintegrate’ was written from a very dark and cold place. ‘Translation Error’ was about feeling very distant as well.” EI: What has been your greatest obstacle since releasing Resistance? Y: “Two album releases in one year is a lot, and the stress with that combined with what was supposed to be a very large tour falling through left us wore out.” EI: Are you still based out of Germany? What are some of the differences between the goth/industrial scenes in Germany versus the U.S.? Y: “The rest of the band resides

there, while I still live in Chicago. It’s the small things (in the scenes) that are different, but the overall aspect is the same. (For example), in Germany most of the guys wear their shirts tucked in, while in America you don’t see that as much.” EI: So how did your most recent American tour go? Y: “The American tour in 2004 was a blast. Of course, there was Dayton, Ohio, where we had to stand over our gear for fear of it being destroyed by the opening bands and their insane behavior. Other highlights were sharing the stage with Funker Vogt and The Crüxshadows and selling out shows in obscure places like Kentucky and Louisiana, where most bands don’t stop.” EI: What do you do when you’re not touring? Y: “I play World of Warcraft, which

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

may also be why I have no personal life. I also like to read and plan on writing a novel someday.” EI: How do you stay alert and refreshed while on tour? Y: “Once I put Jolt in a coffee machine. I called it Joffee. It probably tasted horrible, but after being up for so long, I don’t really recall being in a state of mind for clear judgment.” EI: What’s currently on the horizon for the band? Y: “After such a hectic last year, we realized we have never taken a break since our inception, so we decided to take a long-needed vacation. Then we were invited to play at the Wave Gotik Treffen Festival this year in Leipzig, (Germany), which also showcases the return of Nitzer Ebb. We couldn’t say no. Besides that, I am finishing up a few side projects I have started and will have some albums out this year from those

projects. One project I started four years ago, called Lukotyk Records, will be out this year, and I have already done remixes under the name, which have been well-received.”

Sean Tracy | Photos courtesy of Produkt

EI: What is the theme of your new album? Y: “Resistance is inspired by the futility of war and the arguments of ‘we are right, so you are wrong.’”

Log on:

www.tagworld.com/produkt

EI: What was some of the inspiration for those projects? ST: “This world has made me what I am, and this is it’s manifestation in sonic form. As far as remixes and collaborations go, working with fellow artists can bring about a completely different mindset. To take a piece of music, dissect it, rebuild it with new

parts, give it a completely different feel and have it remain cohesive is just mind-blowing!” EI: Could you tell me about the stories behind some of your songs? ST: “‘Twilight,’ the first track I recorded for this project, is the basis for the manifestation of what this project has become. ‘Electrobudda’ is my tribute to the electronic age clashing with spirituality. It contains samples of Buddhist monks chanting, heavy electronic influences and a tribal percussive breakdown. ‘Trajek’ is about the weakness within some people — the easily manipulated and the sadness of their demise. ‘Counterfit’ is more of a dance floor anthem dealing with the artificial nature that some people can’t escape.” EI: What obstacles have you had to overcome in the last year both personally and musically? ST: “My biggest personal obstacle at the moment is depression. It’s something that I’ve dealt with from a very young age, but I’m think I’m finally getting a handle on it. As far as musical obstacles — trying to get a CD completed is a rough task when you’re broke!”

EI: How does being based out of New York influence your music? ST: “Being surrounded by so much culture can be overpowering at times! It’s amazing the effect it can have on you. I didn’t realize it when I grew up here. I moved down to Florida for about eight years and was involved in a couple of musical projects (Virelie, Phrajil, Grim Faeries, Playground Tactics), but it wasn’t until I moved back to New York that I realized how much energy I used to draw from this place.” EI: What other activities and interests complete who you

are at this moment in your life? ST: “I do a lot of writing (poetry, rants, ravings and ramblings), photography, and I’m finally getting back into the art aspect of my life (sketching/painting). It escaped me for a while, but now it’s back with a vengeance!” EI: What’s currently on the horizon for you? ST: “Getting the CD pressed and out into the world is priority one at the moment. I’ve got the tracks and artwork completed, so it’s just a matter of money and networking. Once that’s accomplished, it’s go time!”

blood to INK

Poetry it is the time for sleep Frostbite

In a whirl of silver on the other side of my windowpane salacious shudders silent screams my warlike winter

My icy lover sing to me the song of the drowning man freezing in your embrace choking on your breath and your frostbite

henever someone asks me for reading recommendations, science fiction/fantasy writer Storm Constantine is invariably on the top of the list. I have always been amazed at the characters and worlds she creates. When forced to describe her work, I find myself at odds trying to do so without comparing it to other great popular fantasy/horror authors… “Every bit as layered and detailed as Rice, but without the tiresome, overly descriptive bits… As entertaining and page-turning as King, but not so expected or trivial… As dark and edgy as Barker, but easier to relate to and more believable… As sexy and sensual as Brite, but more mature and robust…” She creates a lush and fantastic world (that you’ve never seen, yet know very well) and then inhabits it with characters you truly care about. She gives you so much history and detail that you long to live there, but still leaves room for your own imagination to explore once you move in. This UK author is an artist creating worlds with language in the original art of storytelling. She took some time out recently to talk about her return to the world of the Wraeththu and what she has in store next.

ode to winter

by LEIGH MARINO it is the time for sleep to slow down to a crawl to heal that which has torn slumber sweetly in the cold hibernate recharge reflect fondle the seed of start nurture its private soil prepare for the thaw thru frozen reflections prepare for the next turn of the wheel of cycle

to slow down to a crawl to heal that which has torn slumber sweetly in the cold hibernate recharge reflect fondle the seed of start nurture its private soil prepare for the thaw by MARK WATSON

blood to INK

The hymns of trees trembling in the absence of glory

quickening moon by LEIGH MARINO

by LEIGH MARINO

The quiet serenity continues with two pairs of defilement on your dress

she was shining silver last night casting shadows in the darkness the mix of dark and darker still lead my eyes up to the sky

Sci-fi/fantasy writer discusses her muse, spirituality and new book series

Through the cold and whispering wilds crystal maidens dance minuets and collapse to the ground

I heave my heart up in hopes she’ll fill it

You accompany me in the melody of silver bells, cracking veins

Yet trembling ends and looking back there is only one pair of footprints in the snow Only leaving the memory of your frostbite

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

the beckoning chill descends upon me my breath crystallizes hanging in the air before me

wisps of elemental energy wrap me in her cold embrace

time stops for a moment as I stand in inspired awe paying my respects to her solemn stillness and energy she so willingly gives for those that welcome the gift

Top: Clara Turk | Photo by Kidtee Hello | Left: Lady Atropos | Photo courtesy of L.A.

There is no absolution but there is no need

EI: Like a lot of creative individuals, you’ve said that you tend to create without thinking much about the “act of creating”… that is, it tends to come “naturally.” I realize it’s probably difficult to describe, but can you share any specific instances where you were struck with inspiration (an “aha” moment) — or perhaps times when you felt hindered from finding that inner voice? SC: “The slightest thing can kick start an idea — like an overheard snippet of conversation, a news item or a scene from a film, when your imagination starts thinking, ‘now what if…?’ I can’t really quantify it more than that. I do suffer horribly from periods when my muse takes an extended holiday, and it’s as if I’ve forgotten how to write. Beating myself up about it is pointless and achieves nothing, so I just have to get on with other things and wait for the inspiration, the voice, to come back — hopefully with some duty free presents!”

SC: “The times when my muse has stomped off in a huff! When I’m trying to get ‘round a block, it’s impossible to write, and I’ll find every excuse not to.”

EI: In regards to channeling your creative energy into actual applied work, what challenges you the most?

EI: Spirituality is uniquely explored in your body of work; is this a direct result of your own spiritual path? Can you tell me more about your

EI: Do you feel that your muse is a part of your own consciousness that needs to be nurtured or inspired or energy that is separate with which you need to connect? SC: “Realistically, I guess it is a part of me, even if sometimes it feels like a capricious outer entity. It really is a fleeting creature though, and I can’t understand how it works, how some days I can sit down at the computer and think to myself ‘how on earth do I ever find this difficult?,’ while on other days every word has to be wrenched out and then looks awful on the page! It doesn’t respond to nurturing that I’ve noticed; it has its own whims and will be present when it suits itself.”

personal beliefs and your individual quest for understanding? SC: “Ever since my childhood, I’ve always felt there is more to life than what our limited five senses can perceive. I’m not into religion at all, even though most people would regard some of my pagan leanings as being religious. I am into exploring my own consciousness, and through that the wider consciousness of the universe. I think that humanity creates gods rather than the other way around — but that is a fairly common belief within chaos magic. My own view is that there is this indefinable, unknowable ‘stuff’ that animates everything. We give it faces and names, and then create beliefs systems around it. I prefer to create temporary belief systems that allow me to interact with this energy, systems that exist while you are actually working with them but which don’t control your whole life with silly ideas and pointless restrictions.” EI: I couldn’t agree more. What types of meditations/exercises do you employ for

continued on pg. 24

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

blood to INK exploring your own consciousness? And I wonder if you could recommend some authors or books to those who might be interested in reading more about chaos magic? SC: “I just tend to do whatever I’m in the mood to do, whether that’s 10 minutes (of) daydreaming, a session of visionary questing or a full blown ritual to investigate the inner realms. I tend to do a lot of work with the dehara, which are the deities I invented for the Wraeththu system of magic. These started life as fictional creations, so now I’ve beefed them up a bit with energy and intention I find they work well for creative projects. I recently published a book on this system through Immanion Press, called Grimoire Dehara: Kaimana, which gives all the basics of the system, so I guess I’d recommend that! I’d also recommend Taylor Ellwood’s Space/Time Magic, which is another IP title.” EI: You’ve said in the past that a lot of your stories stem from the creation of “worlds” within your head. What goes through you mind when determining which ones are worthy of bringing to life? SC: “The worlds are created at the same time as the stories, really — it will just be a simple idea that sparks it off. Then I build up the world as I begin to populate it. I’ll give it a history and political and religious structures. When I was writing the Magravandias Chronicles, I wanted its world to have a real sense of having been around for a long time, so that the story would read more like para-history than fantasy. I still think that technically those books are my best work to date. Wraeththu is my first love and always will be, but I’m really proud of what I achieved with Sea Dragon Heir and its sequels.”

EI: You worked with Michael Moorcock on Silverheart. With what other writers have you dreamed of working? How do you approach collaborating with another writer, that is, what do you do differently than when working alone? SC: “Mike is a very easy person to work with, because he basically let me do what I liked with his original ideas, and he’s so well known and established (that) there were never going to be the kinds of problems I’d encountered with coauthors before. I have to say that other co-written full length projects I’ve been involved in have ended in tears. I’m no longer friends with any of those people, so I’d be very wary of doing it again. This is a shame, because I’m essentially a team person and enjoy working with others. However you get problems arising, especially when the co-authors haven’t had anything published before. I can’t really say more than that, but let’s just say I’ve learned my lesson. You can work in many different ways with co-authors, either doing separate chapters or editing each other’s drafts. I suppose my teamwork itch is scratched by my editing job. I especially enjoy working on the Wraeththu Mythos books, written by others, that are published by Immanion Press.” EI: There seems to be a growing trend of collaborative works in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Why do you think that is, and what benefits or drawbacks can be expected when working collaboratively? SC: “I might be cynical, but I think in some cases it’s the publishers who want to latch an unknown name onto another that they know will sell. The benefits are that you can pool ideas, workshop and share the burden. The drawbacks are conflicting interests and views, and when one person does more work than another.”

EI: What would you like to accomplish with your next work? SC: “I have an idea for a book that’s based on a writer like me — but she is not me, I’d like to stress — whose work starts leaking into reality. I had the idea the last time I was at an American sci-fi convention. Fans really get into fantasy worlds and sometimes like to dress up as the characters at those events. I wondered what it would be like if people took it further, so much so, that the fictional became real. But before I can get to work on that properly I have another contracted project to complete. I agreed to do a sequel to Silverheart, which is called Dragonskin. Much as I like that world, I’m itching to get to my novelist idea! As well as those projects, I’m still working on various Wraeththu Mythos stories. I have a half completed novella, and another one in its early stages.” EI: Will Michael Moorcock also be working on Dragonskin? Can you give us a hint about what to expect from the sequel? When will it be released? SC: “Mike’s too busy to do any work on the book, so I’m going alone on this one. It basically revolves around Max Silverskin’s children, who are teenagers now. It’s about what happens to the world of Karadur-Shriltasi once the ice has melted and what comes creeping out of the melt waters! I’m not sure when it will be published, because I haven’t finished writing it yet.” EI: You are probably most well known for your Wraeththu works. The first three, The Wraeththu Chronicles, being published in the late ‘80s. Now, 16 years later, you’ve released the Wraeththu Histories. How did you decide to pick up on this project again, and how do you feel you have grown in the time between? Did you find it difficult to re-enter that world after such a long time? SC: “It was a delight to go back to that world. I’d aged 16 years and so had the characters, so it was great fun to explore them as older individuals. For a long time, I’d put off doing more Wraeththu material, despite all the pleas from fans, because of the flak I’d received when the first trilogy came out. But the core fandom had carried on

Recommended Reading:

Wraeththu Chronicles: The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit, 1987; Bewitchments of Love and Hate, 1988; The Fulfillments of Fate and Desire, 1989 The Grigori Trilogy: Stalking Tender Prey, 1995; Scenting Hallowed Blood, 1996; Stealing Sacred Fire, 1997 Magravandias Trilogy: Sea Dragon Heir, 1998; The Crown of Silence, 2000; The Way of Light, 2001 Silverheart (with Michael Moorcock), 2000 Wraeththu Histories: The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, 2003; The Shades of Time and Memory, 2004; The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence, 2005

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

regardless and was hugely supportive when I started work on the Histories. I can’t remember the exact moment, but one day I just knew it was time to go back. I think it was meant I should wait this long, because I’ve brought a wealth of writing experience to the Wraeththu world. Whatever other projects I get involved in, I can’t see that I’ll abandon it again.” EI: Did it feel like abandonment to you? What type of flak did you receive? SC: “When I first got signed up with MacDonald Futura (Publishers Ltd.), I was led to believe that I was on the brink of enormous success. But that didn’t happen, of course. My material was far too way out ever to be a bestseller. The publishers took a risk with me, then came the reviews calling me a misogynist, or from people who were literally grossed out by the sexuality of androgynous beings and my upfront approach to that sexuality. The publishers backed off hastily and didn’t want any more Wraeththu books. They made me write different things, which was hard for me, and I think the first novel I did after that, The Monstrous Regiment, is the worst book I’ve written. I suppose I felt let down really, by Wraeththu itself, which was unfair. I was quite naïve then and was shocked by the reaction I got. It wasn’t all bad, of course, and Wraeththu attracted a loyal core following who’ve stuck with it for nearly 20 years now. That following has grown enormously too. These are the people who held the torch for Wraeththu while I was sulking!” EI: And do tell, who is your favorite fictional son, Pellaz or Calanthe? SC: “Hmm. I see Pellaz as being a lot like me. I think I wrote a lot of me into him originally, which is perhaps unfortunate because a lot of the fans think he’s rather a brat. Going back to the early books, as I had to when I re-edited them and was researching the new trilogy, I saw the younger Pellaz as having some of the stupid ideas I used to have about life. He’s probably a much more likeable character now. Actually, no. I just mulled over a few scenes from the new books. He’s my bitch side, obviously! As for Cal, well, what can I say? A benefit of being a writer is you can create your perfect creature, and that’s what I did.” EI: What is your opinion of fan fiction overall? You’ve seemed to embrace it by opening up the Wraeththu world for others to explore through The Wraeththu Mythos collection. Was it difficult for you to share such a personal creation with other writers? What do you think of the direction that they have taken the world to which you gave birth? SC: “The way I look at Wraeththu is that it’s a garden I’ve designed, full of secret areas and hidden paths. I love to share that garden (and) have others to play in it with me, so I’ve never had a problem with fan fiction as a concept. Some writers get really angry about it, but to me it’s the greatest compliment. It shows that I’ve done

Photo by Jim Hibbert

continued from pg. 23

Immanion Press founder and Wraeththu sci-fi/fantasy novelist Storm Constantine teaches creative writing courses. “Read as a writer not as a reader,” she advises. “Determine what makes a book work for you or what makes it fail. Language is your tool; master it.” a job properly if others are inspired to expand the stories. They want more of it. Simple as that. Naturally, with the Mythos novels we publish, they have to fit into canon, because it would be silly to have inconsistencies. The two we’ve published so far, Breeding Discontent, by Wendy Darling and Bridgette Parker, and Terzah’s Sons by Victoria Copus, both began life as fan fictions posted on message boards, as did the next one due for release (in 2006), Rosa Mundi by Kris Dotto. These, to me, were stories that fitted comfortably into the Wraeththu world and also added to it. I think it’s good to give something back to the people who’ve supported me as well. And of course, because I love Wraeththu stories so much, I really appreciate having new ones to read that I haven’t invented myself. We are picky about who we take, because the books have to have a certain style and tone. I wouldn’t want to open Wraeththu up to hack writing. All the writers involved in the project are very talented.” EI: The creation of your own production company, Immanion Press, was undoubtedly a large step. Has it been what you intended? What qualities do you look for when deciding to support new work or new writers? SC: “I started Immanion Press originally so I could republish my back catalogue novels, including the re-edited extended versions of the original Wraeththu trilogy, but it just grew from there. I’ve published new authors for three years now and have found it is very difficult to sell new names without a big promotional budget behind them. For that reason, I’ll be concentrating more in 2006 on the non-fiction esoteric list and the Wraeththu Mythos projects.

EI: Besides your editing work for Immanion, what other authors do you enjoy reading? Are there fundamental texts that you would recommend for aspiring writers? SC: “My favorite writer of all time is Alice Hoffman, who is my literary goddess. Her prose is just flawless in my eyes. I can read her novels again and again, and if I had to say which one I liked best, it would be very difficult. She’s most well known for Practical Magic, which was turned into a rather mediocre movie. The book is superb, and I recommend it heartily. I think new writers can learn a lot from reading her work and analyzing it.” EI: You have also released a role-playing system based on the Wraeththu world. Do you hope that this will encourage new readers of you works, or is it more of a reward for your current readers? How easily do you think it is for people that may have never read your works to enter into your world through the Wraeththu RPG? SC: “The Wraeththu RPG adds to the world in terms of background content, but I hope it will also appeal to those who haven’t actually read the books. There is enough information in Wraeththu: From Enchantment to Fulfillment for people to play without having to pore through all the novels. I like to think that if someone does play the game, they might actually want to go and find the books afterwards!”

* For more of this interview, visit www.echoimmortalis.net.

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www.immanion-press.com Fan Fiction: www.angelfire.com/ ca6/forever/ Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

CLUB PROFILE Main Street Lounge, Louisville, Ky. 104 W. Main St., Friday 11 p.m. – 4 a.m., 21 and up, free, www.mainstreetlounge. com, (502) 595-6001, www.louisvillegoth.com

Rain | Photo courtesy of Rain

“I see a red door, and I want to paint it black” is the theme of the back room at Louisville’s best underground nightclub. Black walls, a great chandelier, an industrial DJ, a small dance floor and chains above the bar make it quaint, yet packed when the crowd swells by midnight. As you enter the Main Street Lounge, however, an earthy, laid-back atmosphere will entrance you. Pool tables, a large bar and a second DJ spinning in this alternative ’80s/’90s front room offers a comfy place for friends and conversation. Votive candles line shelves of white walls, and $2 well drinks keep people drinking all night. On clear evenings, the club opens its New Orleans’ style veranda, which sits outside complete with iron bar gates, foliage and its own bar. Thank The Triad DJs for pumping the music here. — Leslie Benson

Echo Immortalis Midwe st Summer Event Guide

Events and prices are subject to change without notification. Contact the venue to verify details. To submit an event, contact Echo Immortalis magazine at echomag@hotmail.com or send information to Echo Immortalis magazine c/o Leslie Benson, P.O. Box 3198, Muncie IN 47307. For additional information, visit www.echoimmortalis. net.

CONCERTS/ CONVENTIONS AnimeNEXT 2006: www.animenext.org, www.mecexpo.com 6/16-6/18, with D’espairsRay, Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ Bauhaus: www.bauhausmusik.com 6/25, with Nine Inch Nails, DTE Energy Center, Detroit, MI 6/27, with Nine Inch Nails, Blossom Music Theater, Cleveland, OH 6/28, with Nine Inch Nails, Germain Amphitheater, Columbus, OH 6/30, with Nine Inch Nails, Post-Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA 7/1, with Nine Inch Nails,First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, Chicago, IL 7/2, with Nine Inch Nails, Marcus Amphitheater/Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI 7/3, with Nine Inch Nails, Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, IN Bella Morte: www.bellamorte.com 7/7, Avio, Lexington, KY Black Sun Festival: www.blacksun-festival.com 7/28, And One, PTI and The Brides, Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT 7/29, Caustic and Bloodwire, Alchemy Nightclub, New Haven, CT 7/29, Chemlab, Claire Voyant, The Last Dance and Combichrist, Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT 7/30, 51 Peg, Jenn Vix, Null Device, Filament 38, Alchemy Nightclub, New Haven, CT Cornerstone (Christian) Music Festival: www.cornerstonefestival.com 7/4-7/8, Bushnell, IL Combichrist: www.combichrist.com 6/25, with ThouShaltNot, Inferno Nightclub, Madison, WI 7/29, with Chemlab, Claire Voyant and The Last Dance, Black Sun Festival, Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT Cruciform Injection: www.cruciforminjection.com,

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

www.futureshock.net/ 8/12 (call to verify date), with Defcon and the Gothsicles during GenCon weekend, Radio Radio, Indianapolis, IN Dracula’s Ball: www.draculasball.com, www.shapooonline.com 6/10, with Unto Ashes and Gothminister, Shampoo Nightclub, Philadelphia, PA DragonCon: www.dragoncon.org, www.cruxshadows.com 9/1-9/4, with The Crüxshadows and Voltaire, The Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton hotels, Atlanta, GA Dresden Dolls: www.dresdendolls.com 7/6, Promowest Pavilion, Columbus, OH 7/9, Myth, St. Paul, MN 7/11, Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH 7/12, Plain Dealer Pavilion, Cleveland, OH 7/13, Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI 7/14, State Theatre, Detroit, MI ElectroPhest 2k6: www.darkcleveland.com 9/8, synthpop, electronic and EBM bands TBD, Phantasy Niteclub, Lakewood, OH 9/9, synthpop, electronic and EBM bands TBD, Phantasy Niteclub, Lakewood, OH Fashion Bomb: www.myspace.com/xfashionxbombx 6/28, Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL 7/9, Pearl Room, Mokena, IL Form 30: www.myspace.com/form30, www.form30.com 8/10, The Vault, Indianapolis, IN Frontline Assembly: www.mindphaser.com 6/13, with Stromkern, Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL

GenCon Indy: www.gencon.com 8/10-8/13, gigantic gaming/role-playing convention with goth bands performing at after-parties, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN Gothicfest 2006: www.gothicfest.com, www.myspace.com/gothicfest Dates TBD, city TBD, IL Great Lakes Leather Alliance Weekend: http://greatlakesleather.org 8/25-8/27, fetish convention, Indianapolis, IN Lacuna Coil: www.lacunacoil.it 7/14, Float-Rite Park, Somerset, WI 7/16, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL 7/19, DTE Music Energy Theatre, Detroit, MI 7/21, Germain Amphitheater, Columbus, OH 7/22, Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI 7/23, Verizon Wireless Music Center, Indianapolis, IN

Mindless Self Indulgence: www.mindlessselfindulgence.com, www.darkcleveland.com 6/16, with Kill Hannah, Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, OH 6/18, State Theatre, Detroit, MI Ministry: www.ministrymusic.org 6/24, Harpos, Detroit, MI 6/25, House of Blues, Cleveland, OH 6/28, Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH 6/30, Quest Club, Minneapolis, MN 7/1-7/2, House of Blues, Chicago, IL 7/3, Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH 7/6, Pops, Sauget, IL Morphic Resonance: www.myspace.com/morphicresonance, acmeartco.org 6/17, Acme Art Company, Columbus, OH Nine Inch Nails: www.nin.com 6/25, with Bauhaus, DTE Energy Center, Detroit, MI 6/27, with Bauhaus, Blossom Music Theater, Cleveland, OH 6/28, with Bauhaus, Germain Amphitheater, Columbus, OH 6/30, with Bauhaus, Post-Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA 7/1, with Bauhaus, First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, Chicago, IL 7/2, with Bauhaus, Marcus Amphitheater/Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI 7/3, with Bauhaus, Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, IN Ohio Group Shoot: www.alternativeohio.com 6/10, for industry professionals only (must be pre-registered), sponsored by Alternative Ohio, Wicked Talent and RetroKitten, Columbus, OH Origins International Game Expo: www.originsgames.com 6/29-7/2, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH PIG: www.myspace.com/raymondwatts 6/23, with Mindless Faith and Digital Mindy, Peabody’s Down Under, Cleveland, OH 6/24, with Mindless Faith and Digital Mindy, Alrosa Villa, Columbus, OH 6/28, with Mindless Faith and Digital Mindy, Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL 6/30, with Mindless Faith and Digital Mindy, High-Noon Saloon, Madison, WI Reverence 2006: www.deadbeatproductions.com, www. high-noon.com, www.clubinferno.com 7/19, with Endif and Noit Excev, HaLO, Madsion, WI 7/21, with Android Lust, Null Device, Sensuous Enemy and Ctrlshft, High Noon Saloon, Madsion, WI 7/22, with Stromkern, God Module, C/A/T, Stochastic Theory, Caustic and Heliosphere, Inferno, Madsion, WI Stromkern: www.stromkern.com

6/13, with Frontline Assembly, Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL

ThouShaltNot: www.thoushaltnot.net 6/25, with Combichrist, Inferno Nightclub, Madison, WI 7/8, Main Street Lounge, Louisville, KY Voltaire: www.voltaire.net, www.conclavesf.org 9/1-9/4, with The Crüxshadows, DragonCon, The Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton hotels, Atlanta, GA 10/6, ConClave 31, Crowne Plaza Detroit Metro Airport, Romulus, MI

GOTHIC AND INDUSTRIAL NIGHTCLUB EVENTS ILLINOIS

Champaign The Sidebar/The Highdive 51 E Main St. (217) 356-2337 www.wildhunt.org/subversion, www.myspace.com/subversioncu When: Tuesday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 19 +, $2 Subversion: DJs spin gothic, industrial and EBM. Chicago Exit 1315 W. North Ave. (773) 395-2700 www.exitchicago.com When: Sunday – Saturday, 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. Door: 21 +, $5 Friday and Saturday Thursday is Bondage-a-gogo (fetish night); Friday and Saturday are classic industrial nights; Monday is punk rock night. Downstairs is a biker bar; upstairs is a dance floor. Metro 3730 N. Clark St. (773) 549-0203 www.americangothicprod.com, www.metrochicago.com When: Last Saturday of month, 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. Door: $6 over 21, $8 under 18 - 20 Nocturna: DJ Scary Lady Sarah and guests spin goth and industrial. Neo 2350 N. Clark St. (down alley) (773) 528-2622 www.neo-chicago.com When: Sunday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. Door: 21 +, $5 Thursday – Saturday, Sunday – Wednesday free Sunday: electro-industrial; Monday: metal; Tuesday: post wave dance; Wednesday: hard electronic dance; Thursday: new wave; Friday: electroindustrial; Saturday: EBM, industrial, power noise.

Urbana Independent Media Center 202 S. Broadway www.stitched-up.org When: First Saturday of month, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: All ages; $2 Stitches: Gothic rock including everything from Ex Voto to London After Midnight.

INDIANA

Bloomington The Tap 419 N. Walnut St. www.livejournal.com/community/ evil_axis/ When: Last Saturday of month, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 21 and up, $3 Last Saturday of month: The Great Goth Migration (formerly Axis of Evil) finally opens up the weekend to Indiana’s dark clubgoers. Indianapolis Melody Inn 3826 N. Illinois St. (317) 923-4707 www.alyda.com, www.thereformatory.com When: Last Wednesday and Saturday of month, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 21+, $5 Last Wednesday of month: DJ Alyda and guests spin new wave and synthpop in between live music sets. This is no longer ‘80s and Beyond. Last Sunday of month: Namaram and The Reformatory present Decadence, a fetish party for a limited 100 guests. The Vault 120 E. Market St. (317) 964-0433 www.indygoth.com When: 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 21+, $3 Strange Days: This weekly Thursday goth night is the only one of its kind in the Circle City. It features DJs Mister E, Zlaya, Copper Top, Rony and others. Wicked Wednesday: (First Wednesday of month.) DJs Orion, Sarah Vain and guests spin electronic, hip-hop, ‘80s and rock music with safe play space, contests and monthly themes for fetish enthusiasts. Free with costume or $1 off with canned good.

IOWA

Mt. Vernon Hilltop Bar & Grill 109 1st St. East (319) 895-0020 www.myspace.com/aphelionshow When: First and third Sunday of month, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 18+, $5 Aphelion: DJ Grimm and guests spin gothic, industrial, and techno.

KENTUCKY

Louisville Main Street Lounge 104 West Main St. (502) 595-6001 www.louisvillegoth.com When: Friday, 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. Door: 21+, $2 Louisville’s premier goth/industrial night. Everyone from the underground scene who wants to party comes here regularly for dancing via music by The Triad DJs (DJ Shahn, Reverend Spook and Sorrow-Vomit), live bands and $2 well drinks. In addition, Grotesque Burlesque member Vyxsin appears as the official shot girl. Sumshee’s Coffee Shop 204 S. Preston St. (502) 589-2018 www.louisvillegoth.com When: Sunday, 7 p.m. – midnight Door: All ages, $5 All-Ages Goth Night: The Triad DJs play classic goth and some obscure industrial bands.

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor Necto 516 E. Liberty (734) 994-5835 www.necto.com When: Monday, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 18+; $2, $1 before 10 p.m. Factory: industrial, gothic and synthpop. Detroit Leland City Club 400 Bagley, inside Ramada Inn (313) 962-2300 www.lelandcityclub.com When: Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Door: 18+, $3 before 11 p.m., $4 after, $4 re-entry. DJs spin new EBM, electronic, industrial and synthpop. Hamtramck Mephisto’s 2764 Florian St. (313) 875-3627 www.mephistosdetroit.com When: Wednesday, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 18+, $2, $9 on Saturday abSINthe: Two floors of gothic/EBM/ industrial dance and horror movies; $1 well drinks. Royal Oak Luna 1815 N Main St. (248) 589-3344 www.lunaroyaloak.com When: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 21+, free before 10 p.m., $3 after Tuesday: DJ Darrin spins alternative, goth and industrial; Wednesday: electro industrial with DJ Pleasure Kitten and guests; Thursday: ‘80’s Night with DJ Davo; Friday: DJ Chris Rohn spins

continued on pg. 28

undead & LOVING IT CLUB PROFILE The Tap, Bloomington, Ind. 419 N. Walnut St, last Saturday of month, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., 21 and up, $3, www.livejournal.com/ community/evil_axis/ Welcome to the Great Goth Migration! Bloomington — Indiana’s best little hippie/college town, finally has another goth night. On the last Saturday of each month, the Great Goth Migration (formerly Axis of Evil) draws about 30 40 people who dance to trance, electronica and a smattering of classic goth — everything from the Mortal Combat theme to the Virgin Prunes. There, you’ll see belly dancing, break dancing, goth beer pong, punks, gypsies, cyber goths, IUB students and people downing $2 well drinks. Sweet deal! Three bars (two of them open) cater to the crowd, which gathers early. The best time to get there is around 10 p.m. Cushy couches and booths allow for close chatter, and a stage set toward the back of the far room gives the potential for great local concerts. — L.B.

Clara Turk | Photo by Kidtee Hello

undead & LOVING IT

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

undead & LOVING IT

continued from pg. 27

Top 10 Club Songs

industrial, Brit pop, alternative and new wave; Saturday: alternative dance with DJ Paul.

DJ Alyda Stoica, Indianapolis, Ind. 1. Harry Belafonte “Jump in the Line” 2. Poison “Talk Dirty to Me” 3. Klimax “Sexy” 4. Neuroticfish “They’re Coming to Take Me Away” 5. Samantha Fox “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” 6. The Sound of Music “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” 7. Karen Carpenter “Close to You” 8. Erasure “Always” 9. Violent Femmes “Add it Up” 10. Andrew Lloyd Webber “The Phantom of the Opera”

MINNESOTA

Minneapolis Ground Zero 15 NE 4th St. (612) 378-5115 www.questionable-industries.com/ corrosion/ When: Thursday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 21+, $6 Bondage A Go Go (Thursday – Saturday) and Corrosion (Friday) bring out the rivetheads, freaks, fetishists and goths.

DJ Copper Top

MISSOURI St. Louis Creepy Crawl 412 N. Tucker (314) 621-9019 www.creepycrawl.com When: Thursday, 11 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 21 and up, free Creepy Things features live goth and industrial bands.

DJ Copper Top, Indianapolis, Ind. 1. Grendel “Interrogation Leash” 2. Combichrist “Like to Thank My Buddies” 3. Negative Format “Particle Shift” 3. Silica Gel “La Mitad (Empty-Sosofo Mix)” 4. Decoded Feedback “Psy-Storm” 5. Soman “Delta-Pi” 6. Rupesh Cartel “Death with Soft Names (Ext. Mix)” 7. Pro-Activ “Humanized Phase (Headscan Mix)” 8. Virtual Embrace “Grief Cry” 9. Rotersand “Dare to Live” 10. Aesthetic Perfection “Fix”

Dante’s 3221 Olive St www.requiemsaint.com When: First Monday of month, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 18+, $2 before 10:30 p.m., $5 after Requiem: Gothic, industrial, synthpop and darkwave dance night. Upstairs Lounge 3131 S. Grand Blvd (314) 773-3388 www.stlouisgothic.com, www.upstairslounge.com When: Tuesday, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 21 and up, free Rapture offers dark ambient music in a comfortable atmosphere.

OHIO

Akron Annabell’s Cocktail Lounge 784 West Market St. (330) 523-1112 When: Monday, 10 p.m. Door: 18+ (girls only), 21+, call club for cost Modulation Mondays: Electro and synthpop.

Ari | Photo by Dave Denny

Echo Immortalis Midwe st Summer Event Guide

Bowling Green Sky Bar 238 N. Main St. (419) 352-9310 www.igunoh.com When: Wednesday, 9 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Door: Free with proper attire 21+, $2 18 – 20 with proper attire I.G.U.N.: DJs Gothfather, DarksChoir and guests spin goth, industrial, punk, new wave, synthpop and EBM. Uptown 162 N. Main St. (419) 352-9310

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

www.rewiredbg.com When: Wednesday, 9 p.m. – 2:15 a.m. Door: 18+, free Rewired: The best of EBM, industrial, goth, dark wave, trance and new wave. Theme parties include fetish and zombie fans. Cincinnati The Dock 603 W Pete Rose Way (513) 241-5623 When: Thursday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: Call Bar This gay bar offers electronic dance nights with DJ Mike Dangers spinning for Darkotica. It used to be a hotspot for southern Ohio goths. Jekyll and Hyde’s 1140 W. Main St. www.necropolisclub.com, http://cincygoth.com/main/ When: Saturday, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 21 and up, $3, ladies free before midnight Necropolis is Cincinnati’s newest goth club night. Dance tunes spin by Nine Inch Nails, The Birthday Massacre, Apoptygma Bezerk and more. Mondays from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., industrial and EBM bring out clubbers. Top Cat’s Club 2820 Vine St. (513) 281-2005 http://cincygoth.com/main/, www.myspace.com/cincygoth When: First Sunday of month, 9 p.m. Door: $7 21 and up, $9 18 – 20 Sanctuary is a monthly live music event. Past bands that have performed there include Black Cat Revival and The Epidemic. Columbus Outland 660 Harrisburg Pike www.cringe.com/outland/, http://outlandnightclub.com When: Every Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: $5 21+, $7 18 – 20 Gothic, industrial, new wave, darkwave, ethereal and EBM dance music. Cleveland Phantasy Niteclub 11814 Detroit Ave. (216) 228-6300 www.phantasyconcertclub.net When: Fridays – Sundays; 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: Ladies free before 11 p.m.; 21+ $3; 18 - 20 $5 The Chamber: Gothic/industrial, drum and bass and dark ambient music. Dayton The Foundry 26 Wyandot St. (937) 222-8550 http://thefoundrynightclub.com When: Friday, 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. Door: 18 and up, $3 - $5, free for ladies before midnight The nightclub fills with one hundred darkly-clad music lovers each week..

Club Masque 34 N. Jefferson St. (937) 228-CLUB www.clubmasque.com When: Sunday – Saturday, 7 p.m. – 2:30 a.m., weekdays and until 5 a.m. on weekends Door: 18 and up, $2 - $10, This up-scale gay club plays techno and pop remixes and features weekly drag shows. Pearl Nightclub 101 S. St. Clair St. www.myspace.com/pearlniteclub When: Monday, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: $4 Formerly called Revolution, this cozy goth/industrial club night takes place in a sophisticated and laid-back, renovated diner. A bar covering two rooms serves great mixed drinks. Tables, booths and couches line the room for close encounters of the goth kind. Here you can dance to The Cure, VNV Nation and some ’80s hits by Dayton’s best DJs. Toledo Wesley’s 1201 Adams St. (419) 255-3333 www.wesleysbarandgrill.com When: Friday, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. Door: 18+, $2 Industry: EBM, synthpop, gothic and industrial.

WISCONSIN

Green Bay 29 Steps 119 S. Washington St., second floor (920) 435-2929 http://goth.29stepspub.com/ beatenpath.htm When: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 21+, free Off the Beaten Path: Bring your own music for DJ Chuck-Smash to play, including goth, industrial, darkwave, synthpop, etc. Madison Cardinal Bar 418 East Wilson St. (608) 251-0080 www.cardinalbar.com When: Wednesday and Friday, 9 p.m. Door: 21+, $3-$5, free before 10 p.m. Wednesday: Electronic underground night. Friday: retro ‘80s and ‘90s music. Club Inferno 1718 Commercial Ave. (608) 245-9583 www.clubinferno.com When: Saturday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 21+, $3, free before 10 p.m. Chrome/Halo: Two-level packed dance floor featuring the latest and classic EBM, electro, synth and industrial mixes. Milwaukee Club (Anything)? 807 S. 5th St.

(414) 383-5680 www.geocities.com/clubanything/, www.hexentanz.com When: Friday – Saturday, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Door: 21+, $3 Friday: Elektrotrash night. Saturdays change between Ozone, Hexentanz, Bring Out Yer Dead, Sinister Saturday and Retrosex club nights, all devoted to various facets of goth/industrial music and culture.

LIVE-ACTION ROLE-PLAYING GAMES

(Note: This is not a complete list. To ensure accuracy of information and to find exact game times and directions, always e-mail storytellers first by finding your city’s game link under “Chronicles” on www.owbn.org or by visiting the Web addresses listed. Remember, many LARPs first require an admission fee and sometimes a membership to the organization running the game. The term ‘boffer weapon,” as listed, refers to foam “weapons” used in specific (usually outdoor) LARPs. For non-sanctioned games of other types, visit your local gaming store. Also, please feel free to e-mail Echo Immortalis your accurate LARP game information to echomag@hotmail.com.)

INDIANA

Bloomington Changeling LARP, www.taleofwinter. com, third Sunday and second Friday of month White Wolf-sanctioned Vampire LARP, Indiana University — Bloomington Student Union Commons, www.whitewolf.com, fourth Saturday of month Evanston “NERO Indiana,” chapter of the national costumed fantasy, boffer weapon-style LARP, www.neroindiana.com Hobart “Gary: Blood & Steel,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, Hobart Art League, 3850 Howard St., first Friday of month Indianapolis “Ancient Accords: The Crossroads Conspiracy,” Vampire LARP, www.indybynight.net “Indianapolis: A City of Blood,” Vampire: The Requiem LARP, www.indylarp.org/indexframes.html

Indianapolis Interactive Theatre, www.indygamecenter.org/I2T “Indianapolis: Shades of Crimson,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://ella. slis.indiana.edu/~alerolli/Indy/, second Saturday of month “KANAR (Knights and Nobles and Rogues) Indiana,” a modified fantasy LARP of Milan, Mich.’s original KANAR group, Morgan Monroe State Park, fourth Saturday, contact directing_st@ yahoo.com “Kingdom of the Rising Winds,” chapter of the national Amtgard medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP, www.therisingwinds.com “Midnight Crossroads,” Vampire: The Requiem, Mage: The Awakening and Werewolf: The Forsaken LARPs, www.midnightcrossroads.org Michigan City “Shire of the Synging Winds,” chapter of the national Amtgard medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP, www.angelfire. com/wizard/synging/ Muncie “Whispers in the Dark” Vampire: The Requiem game sponsored by the Gravedigger’s Union, Ball State University Arts and Journalism Building’s Atrium, http://witn.suddenlaunch3.com/

“Immortal Underground,” independent Vampire second edition LARP, www.geocities.com/~immortalunder “NERO Chicago,” www.nerochicago.com Decatur “The Chaos Within,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, www.chaoswithin.com, first, third and sometimes fifth Saturday of month Galesburg “NERO Chronicles,” www.nerochronicles.com “Shire of Sawney Freehold,” chapter of the national Amtgard medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP, www. sawneyfreehold.freewebspace.com Oswego “NERO Midwest,” www.neromidwest.com Springfield “Capital City Cauldron,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains.owbn.org/ capitalcity, second and fourth Saturday of month Zion “Shogun,” feudal Japanese, medium combat LARP, www.angelfire.com/wa/ shogun

ILLINOIS

IOWA

Champaign “Elysium on the Prairie,” Vampire: The Requiem LARP, https://netfiles.uiuc. edu/ro/www/ElysiumonthePrairie/ elysium.html

Iowa City “L’Ange Noir,” One World By Nightsanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains. owbn. org/lange_noir/, first and third Saturday of month

Carbondale “The Accursed Forgotten,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Student Center, second floor international lounge, first and third Friday of month

Charleston “Charleston: Crossroads of the Damned,” One World By Nightsanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains.owbn.org/ tuscola/, first, third and fifth Saturday of month Chicago “Chicago: Dark Requiem,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains. owbn.org/chicago, first and third Thursday and second and fourth Saturday of month “Conspiratus Angelorum: Dark Ages by Night” LARP, Fight Shop, 3124 W. Carroll St., second Sunday of month, www.walkingshadows.org/DA/

Cedar Rapids “Five Nights: Cedar Rapids By Night,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, 150 9th Ave., Hiawatha, Friday prior to the first and third Saturday of month

Waterloo “NERO North Iowa,” www.neronorthiowa.com

KENTUCKY

Elizabethtown “Barony of the Five Oaks,” chapter of the national Amtgard medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP, www. therisingwinds.com/parks/FO/index. html Lexington “Shire of Parth Lhun,” chapter of the national Amtgard medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP, www.parthlhun. iwarp.com

undead & LOVING IT Top 10 Club Songs DJ Louie Louie, Dayton, Ohio 1. The Cure “Just Like Heaven” 2. The Smiths “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” 3. Bauhaus “She’s in Parties” 4. Peter Murphy “ Cuts You Up” 5. Covenant “We Stand Alone” 6. VNV Nation “Darkangel” 7. Skinny Puppy “Testure” 8. Clan of Xymox “Louise” 9. Depeche Mode “Enjoy the Silence” 10. The Crüxshadows “Deception” DJ Sarah Vain, Indianapolis, Ind. 1. Armand Van Helden “Hear My Name” 2. Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams (Steve Angello Remix)” 3. Kylie Minogue “I Believe in You (Mylo Vocal Mix)” 4. No Doubt “It’s My Life (Jacque’s Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke Mix)” 5. Madonna “Get Together” 6. VHS or Beta “Night On Fire (Carlos D Remix)” 7. Ministry “All Day” 8. Goldfrapp “Ooh La La (Phones Re-Edit)” 9. The Futureheads “Hounds of Love (Phones Wolves Mix)” 10. Echo & The Bunnymen “Lips Like Sugar (Way Out West Remix Edit)” Echo Immortalis, Indianapolis, Ind. 1. The Azoic “Illuminate” 2. Neuroticfish “The Bomb” 3. Beborn Beton “Another World” 4. The Birthday Massacre “Blue” 5. Covenant “Dead Stars” 6. Fear Cult “Girls and Boys” 7. Lunarclick “Send Me An Angel” 8. Hungry Lucy “Blue Dress (Cover of Depeche Mode)” 9. Blank & Jones “A Forest (Featuring Robert Smith)” 10. The Cure “Lullaby”

continued on pg. 30

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Louisa “NERO Kentucky,” www.nerokentucky.com Paducah “The Crossroads,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, www.geocities.com/ paducahcrossroads/, first, third and fifth Sunday of month

MISSOURI

MICHIGAN

“Shadows of St. Louis,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, www.shadowsofstlouis.com, first Saturday and second and fourth Wednesday of month

Brighton “Final Haven,” fantasy boffer weapon LARP, www.finalhavenlarp.com Detroit “NERO Fathoms,” www.nerofathoms.com Kalamazoo “NERO DarkReign,” www.darkreign.net Milan Knights and Nobles and Rogues (KANAR), fantasy LARP using boffer weapons, www.kanar.org Port Huron “Archon,” monthly boffer weapon LARP, www.archonlarp.info/index.html

MINNESOTA

Shakopee “Thicker Than Blood,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire (Giovanni only) chronicle, http:// domains.owbn.org/thickblood/, fourth Friday of month St. Paul “Obsidian Towers,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains.owbn.org/ obsidian/, first and third Friday of month Winona “Dark Haven,” One World By Nightsanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains.owbn. org/wdh_web/WDH/, first and third Saturday of month

Sergio Auler (center), courtesy S.A.

“Winona: Howls Across the Valley,” One World By Night-sanctioned

White Wolf Werewolf chronicle, www. geocities.com/winonahowls, second and fourth Saturday of month

St. Louis “Caught in Eternal Twilight,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://ciet.mindlessatrocity.com, second, fourth and fifth Friday of month

OHIO

Akron “Dagorhir: Kingdom of Avalon, live combat LARP,” http://lek.net/~sam/ koa01.html Cincinnati “Barony of Mithril Keep,” chapter of the national Amtgard medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP, www.mithrilkeep.com “Shadows of Cincinnati,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, www.gamesplayedhere.net/ soc.nsf, Friday before the first Saturday and also on the third Saturday of month Cleveland “Carpe Noctum,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains.owbn.org/ carpe_noctum, alternating Sundays Columbus “Columbus in Darkness,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://cid.lilytree.com, every Sunday “Fear of Night,” One World By Nightsanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, www.geocities.com/ columbus_fon, first Saturday of month “NERO Central Ohio,” www.nerocentralohio.com Ohio Gamers Organization, http://ohiogamers.org/

Dayton “Dying Embers,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, Wright State University’s Millett Hall ground floor, second and fourth Friday of month East Liverpool “NERO Northeast Ohio,” www.nero-noborder.com Undetermined “NERO Ohio,” www.warweb.org/nero/NERO.htm Westerville “Ohio Live Adventure,” medieval LARP, www.ohioliveadventure.org Yellow Springs “Triumph,” costumed LARP featuring outdoor, boffer weapon-style incharacter fighting, www.triumphlarp. com

WISCONSIN

Fox Valley “Shire of the Frost Lands,” chapter of the national Amtgard medieval fantasy foam weapon LARP, www.frostlands.net Green Bay “Shattered Dreams,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains.owbn.org/ greenbay, second and fourth Saturday of month Milwaukee “Nocturnal Rapture,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, http://domains.owbn.org/ mkeweb/, second, fourth and fifth Friday of month Sheboygan “Blood on the Lake,” One World By Night-sanctioned White Wolf Vampire chronicle, 1521 South 12th St., first and third Sunday of month Undetermined International Fantasy Gaming Society of Wisconsin, wisconsin.ifgs.org “NERO Wisconsin,” www.nerowisconsin.com

OTHER EVENTS

Bats Day in the Fun Park: http://batsday.net 8/18-8/20, sponsored by Slave Labor Graphics, Release the Bats and Metropolis Records, Disneyland, CA Dracula Tour to Transylvania: www.dractour.com 7/10-7/17, with vamp hostess Darvela, Tours of Terror, Orange, CT 10/27-11/3, spend Halloween in Dracula’s castle, Tours of Terror, Orange, CT Gorey Stories (based on Edward Gorey): www.shadowape.com/goreyhome.htm 7/27-8/27, ShadowApe Theatre Company, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN Say Hello to Art: http://groups.myspace. com/hellotoart Every last Monday of month, (featuring the best of Dayton, Ohio’s alternative artists and photographers), Oregon Express, Dayton, OH

RENAISSANCE FESTIVALS

6/16-6/18, Renaissance Faire of the Midlands, Council Bluffs, Iowa, www.faire.org 6/17-7/16, Wisconsin Renaissance Faire, Eau Claire, Wis., www.wirenfaire. com 6/24-7/9, White Hart Renaissance Faire, Springfield, Mo., www.historic-arts.com 7/8-8/6, Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire, Kalamazoo, Mich., www.silverleafrenfaire.org 7/8-8/13, Great Lakes Medieval Faire, Cleveland, Ohio, www.medievalfaire.com 7/8-9/4, Bristol Renaissance Faire, Chicago, Ill., www.renfair.com/bristol/ 8/19-10/1, Michigan Renaissance Festival, Detroit, Mich., www. michrenfest.com 8/19-10/1, Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Minneapolis, Minn., http://renaissancefest.com/MRF/ homeframeset.htm 9/2-10/22, Ohio Renaissance Festival, Harveysburg, Ohio, www.renfestival.com

READER PROFILE Sergio Auler, Ohio

READER PROFILE Makari, Kentucky

Guilty Pleasure: Producing parody talk show episodes about zombies and geeks at www.apocalypsefilms.net Hobby: He taught himself how to sew after he saw his first cape in Greenwich Village, N.Y. Making poet shirts soon followed.

Day Job: Sales Representative Guilty Pleasure: Dancing as a new member of Louisville, Ky.’s Grotesque Burlesque, www.myspace.com/grotesqueburlesque Hobby: Practicing dances with Chinese fighting fans Music currently in CD player: Type O Negative

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Concert and Event Reviews The Birthday Massacre, Deadstar Assembly and Fashion Bomb

April 1, 2006 Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, Ill. (773) 252-6179 Purple and black were the colors of choice at The Birthday Massacre Chicago show this spring. An all-ages crowd in spiked hair, fuzzy coats and striped arm guards gathered in a packed second-story room, some even having flown as far as West Palm Beach, Fla. to be there. After an unrecognizable band warmed the soundboard, Chicago’s own industrial rockers Fashion Bomb approached the stage — a better looking version of Marilyn Manson, standing like poster boys for rock star syndrome in front of giant banners of their own headshots. The crowd cheered as the lead singer tagged the scene’s tendency to “dress and do what they want.” Refreshingly, a female with stage presence in long black dreads wailed on her bass. As the band played “Hole,” a small mosh pit broke out amidst hot bodies and fog machine mist. The band appealed to the younger part of the audience and ended by plugging their upcoming summer album. Next up, Deadstar Assembly from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., played a vicious set. The Dro toyed with a green laser pointer fixed to his bass, and singer Dearborn threw his boots into the audience. The visually stunning band played “Killing Myself Again,” the heavy “Just Like You,” which Dearborn introduced in a pirate’s voice, and other hits. Deadstar Assembly relinquished greasy, gritty thrash rock. Crowd favorites included “Breathe for Me” and the beloved “Send Me An Angel.” They ended on the sinister “Dejected,” from their new album slated for release this summer. Finally, The Birthday Massacre’s fans got what they came for. Frontwoman Chibi looked impressive with a doll/child-meets-evil-woman façade, wearing pigtails and serenading with a cherub’s voice that just as easily slid into a malicious, hungry growl. The youngest of the sextet, O-En, danced behind his Korg keyboard and relished playing his secondary, portable Roland keyboard like a guitar. Aslan, the laidback bassist, and Rainbow, the pseudo-beat up looking schoolboy-gone-switchblade/rumblein-the-park guitarist, played well throughout the set. Chibi whipped the mic cord around her theatrically on “Under the Stairs,” and sang sockless the entire time. The youthful band from Toronto, Canada also played “Horror Show” and “Nevermind,” among other tracks. Adopting a middle school persona, alter egos of pouty, angsty school children throwing tantrums and seducing others with devilish, beautiful melodies, The Birthday Massacre loves its dichotomy. The band’s average age is twentysomething, and all have commanding

personalities that both charm and tease. “To Die For” brought more mic play, while M. Falcore strummed his guitar in a shaggy blonde-headed trance, and elder member Rhim tirelessly beat the drums. During “Lovers End,” the crowd danced and squeezed toward the stage, sweaty and slightly disrobed. “Kill the Lights,” the band’s new song, captivated fans, and “Holiday” brought regal appreciation. Props go to the band’s marketing team who promotes them with thematic colors (purple, black, white and pink), style (consistent suits or vests) and symbolism (emblems such as a bunny, robot and a blood-dripping moniker). Like a little sister among five symbolically older brothers, Chibi steps into her persona. “No, no, no — see, we love you!” she told the audience as they clapped for “Happy Birthday.” The encores, “Video Kid” and “Broken,” sent devoted fans into a delighted uproar. For some fans, The Birthday Massacre has lit a fire under them, inspiring travel to various cities, following the band to many of their shows. The band definitely sounds much more impassioned live than on their albums and puts on a hell of a show. — Leslie Benson

Eden: Celebrating Life and Diversity March 29, 2006 Talbott Street, 2145 N. Talbott St., Indianapolis, Ind. (317) 931-1343

With a sprinkle of Cirque de Soleil flare, Indianapolis’ sophisticated gay nightclub, Talbott Street, opened a world unto alternative sensuality — that of fire and acrobatics. The High Flyers Circus Troupe, a male-female duo, balanced their near-perfect bodies, entwining and unfurling from long white ribbons hanging from ceiling rafters. True athletes, they entertained throughout the night along with the Stinky Beetle Tribe Performers, an extreme group of gypsylike fire dancers. Though playing with fire is not usually deemed safe, these men and women are professionals, expressing passion, fluidity and aggression with long baton-like fire polls and swinging fireballs on chains. The swirling lines of light entranced viewers. Other highlights of Eden included various DJs spinning electronic music and tables set up by Indianapolis’ Nuvo and Indiana Masters and slaves (IMAS). A benefit for the Damien Center, which works on AIDS research, Eden remained delightfully decadent. Promoter Chris Conner’s debut event will bring similar monthly club nights to Talbott Street, making it a hot new place to party for members of the goth/industrial scene. The change of scenery from other alternative clubs in the city is refreshing. The venue itself, both opulent and sleek, features a rectangular bar, bathrooms decorated with beaded curtain

undead & LOVING IT

Photo by Doppelganger Photography

continued from pg. 29

Summer Event Guide

Makari | Photo by Dave Denny

undead & LOVING IT

The Stinky Beetle Tribe fire dances at Eden and Wicked Wednesday events. doorways, side tables, a medium dance floor and a stage for live acts. The upstairs was closed during Eden, but a giant wall hanging of Michelangelo’s David enticed a glance or two. An intriguing club by far, Echo Immortalis looks forward to the next event like Eden. — L.B.

Wicked Wednesday

First Wednesday of every month The Vault, 120 E. Market St., Indianapolis, Ind. (317) 964-0433 Sophisticated debauchery for a good cause... Wicked Wednesday kicked off early in winter 2006 with a “slave auction” for the not-forprofit Damien Center in Indianapolis, Ind., to raise money for AIDS research. Vendors selling adult toys and fetish accessories and support by local alternative newspaper Nuvo enhanced the event. Now a gathering the first Wednesday of each month at The Vault, highlights have included a hot wax show, seductive bar dancers, a fake orgasm contest, salsa dancing, costume contests, exotic bondage/rope work, naughty school girl and Moulin Rouge theme nights, Betty Page black and white strip-tease movies playing on the big screen and more. Put on by DJs Sarah Vain, Orion and others, additional support stems from The Reformatory’s Miss Ann and Sir Jason, who run the monthly, voluntary slave auctions for various charities. Hot bodies grind on the packed dance floor to diverse music (hip-hop, ‘80s, electronic, rock), including songs such as Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me ‘Round,” Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” Admission is $3. Find out more at www.myspace.com/erosnoir. — L.B.

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

miRRor

Within the ‘Prison of the Psychotic Dead’ An interview with writer and producer David Williams of Red Scream Films

Log on:

It’s Who You Know... I The second-annual Ohio Group Shoot networks alternative models and photographers

by LESLIE BENSON

Lady Atropos | Photos courtesy of L.A.

www.alternativeohio. com/2006groupshoot.htm, http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/ohioscene/ www.twisted-ways.com

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

n 2005, Wicked Talent model Lady Atropos formed what is now an annual gathering of gloom — some of the best Midwest goth and fetish models and photographers that network business ideas at the Ohio Group Shoot. Held in Columbus, Ohio on June 10, this year’s event, sponsored by OhioScene, Wicked Talent, RetroKitten, Kidtee Hello Photography, Dark Mannequin Designs and others, promises to attract as much — if not more — talent than the debut event. “Ohio has many great talents, but prior to the 2005 group shoot, we didn’t seem to be working together much,” says Atropos. More than 100 attendees traveled last year as far as California to participate in the free photo shoot, held only for members of the industry (models, make-up artists and photographers who registered in advance) at the Acme Art Company in Columbus. “The place was massive — over 33,000 square feet of shooting fun, not counting all the outdoor locations!” says Atropos. Photos taken at the shoot were printed in magazines and added to professional portfolios. “I have long-term hopes of turning this into a convention,” Atropos says. “It’s a dream that could easily turn into a reality.”

I: Tell us a little about yourself? DW: “Born in Niagara Falls, Ny., toxic waste capital of the free world. I spent 10 years living in the Love Canal but thankfully have no ill effects from that or mutant children. I have a degree in media study from State University of New York at Buffalo. I’ve written two novels, about 10 screenplays and about a dozen short stories. I launched Red Scream with Richard Moore in April 2005 and Red Scream Films in October 2005. I was brought up on the old Universal horror films, graduated to Hammer Films and drive-in Eurotrash, but somewhere along the way also discovered late ‘50s to early ‘70s art films. My sense of horror is some strange amalgamation of (Ingmar) Bergman meets (David) Cronenberg with Corman budgets.”

Photo by Kidtee Hello, copyright Red Scream Films

Lady Atropos | Photo by PlasticPuppet.com

by KIDTEE HELLO

EI: How did you get into writing and producing horror movies? DW: “I’m very much a product of the do-ityourself punk aesthetic. If you don’t like the music you are hearing, make your own. If you don’t like the books you are reading, write your own. And if you don’t like the movies you are seeing — write, produce and direct your own. Red Scream Films also comes out of being sick to death of seeing crap that somehow gets made, distributed and praised by people who should know better. It comes out of believing that I can do better. And with Prison of the Psychotic Dead, I have.” EI: What is the movie about? DW: “POTPD is about five ghost hunters who spend the night in the Buffalo Central Terminal, a long abandoned train terminal that is said to be one of the most haunted places on earth. They start off taking it as a bit of a joke, but once the sun goes down, things go wrong quickly. It’s a somewhat traditional ghost story with modern characteristics.” EI: What was your inspiration for POTPD? DW: “Definitely The Haunting of Hill House, both the novel and the original movie. The remake was totally crap and made by wankers. There’s also a bit of Blair Witch in the use of consumer camcorder footage. I’ve also had a fascination for the Buffalo Central Terminal since I first laid eyes on it, what, 15 years ago?” EI: For this movie POTPD, what kind of roadblocks did you encounter? DW: “Very few really. From first idea to production, we are talking only six months.”

EI: How are people responding thus far? DW: “I’ve had people from about six different distribution companies that specialize in horror (respond), and everyone said they loved the film and would love to take it on.” EI: Do you have a favorite scene? DW: “The doll scene with Demona Bast as Aurora. That is probably the creepiest. A close second is the opening scene with Melantha Blackthorne as Kansas in her apartment. Mesmerizing.” EI: What was the cast/crew like to work with? DW: “Everybody was completely professional and fantastically hard-working. Everybody gave 1,001 percent and went above and beyond. When you are making films like this where there is little money and less time, you can’t afford to have someone who isn’t giving their all. Everybody is pulling double, and even triple, duty. There isn’t anyone to pick up the slack. I’ve worked on projects where one person nearly

shut down production, because they got a bug up their asses about something. This was the best cast and crew I have ever worked with.” EI: Tell us about DW: “I’m about 65-pages draft. It is both a remake all in one. It takes place location. I don’t want to say

the sequel? into the first and a sequel in a different too much yet.”

EI: Do you know how this movie will be released? How can we find it? DW: “Right now, we are mixing the soundtrack. Once that is done, we will deliver the final cut to the distributor who will then start working on getting it out there. I believe we are looking at a late summer (2006) release. Our primary target is home DVD, both domestic and international, as well as pay-per-view television.”

Log on: www.redscreamfilms.com Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

miRRor

Muncie Gets Medieval

Podcasters from Cyberspace by MATTHEW GREENWOOD

ast year was officially the “Year of the Podcast.” My proof for this fantastic claim is that the New Oxford American Dictionary just declared “podcast” the 2005 Word of the Year (Oxford University Press: www.oup.com/us). So, what is this exploding phenomenon that promises to be the future of radio and even beat out “Asian Bird Flu” for American Dictionary’s top honors? Simply put, a podcast is a radio show that could easily be produced by anyone that is then released onto the Internet in such a way that it can then be downloaded to individual computers automatically through the use of software called podcatchers. The podcatcher, also called an aggregator, helps one easily subscribe to podcasts. It downloads the latest episodes and organizes them on your hard drive. Some aggregators will even play back the audio for you and help you transfer them to your portable digital audio device such as the ubiquitous iPod. However, despite its name, you don’t need an iPod to receive or listen to a podcast. A computer with a broadband connection is all you need. Most podcasts are simply MP3s produced by people dedicated to special interests, and are often as simple as individual barely audible recordings of what previously would have been entered into text blogs. However, as the popularity of podcasting has grown, mainstream media outlets have jumped on the bandwagon. Podcasts from NPR, ESPN, CBS, Newsweek, 60 Minutes and various media outlets are now commonplace. What may be of most interest to readers of this magazine is the existence of many wonderful goth/industrial/ebm/darkwave/noise podcasts out there for one’s listening pleasure.

The best way to understand the whole podcasting movement is to install a podcatcher on your computer and just subscribe to feeds that interest you. There are a lot of podcatchers out there, but I recommend either iPodder, the first software designed for this purpose (ipodder.org), or the latest version of iTunes (www.apple.com/itunes). Both afore-mentioned podcatchers have their pros and cons. They each have excellent search features, however iTunes barrages you with their Music Store items, and iPodder is ad-free. On the other hand, many find the iTunes interface easier to navigate; and it has the added feature of acting as its own player. Once the podcatcher is installed, there are thousands of podcasts in both the iPodder and iTunes directories, and thousands more on popular directories like podcast alley (www.podcastalley.com) and podcast pickle (www.podcastpickle.com) to choose from. It is important to note again that one doesn’t have to own an iPod to enjoy podcasts. Once a podcast is on your hard drive, any program on your computer that plays MP3s will play your downloaded podcasts including iTunes, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, WinAmp and RealPlayer. Any DVD player or portable CD/MP3 player will play them when burned as data onto CD-R. If burned on a CD-R as audio, most CD players will play them as well. Now that you know everything you need to know to get started, check out the following goth and industrial podcasts. Note, the following list is hardly exhaustive, but it should get you started on your way to enjoying the many offerings of music and content available on the Web via the new technology of really simple syndication (RSS), commonly called podcasting.

Dark Horizons: www.darkhorizonsradio.com Dark Horizons (DH) is a two-hour gothic and industrial radio program aired on WMNF 88.5 FM in Tampa, Fla., from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. EST Thursdays. It has aired since 1992. The Web site archives every episode and makes it available as a podcast. DH has been hosted by Theresa, Ed and George, who bring an eclectic mix of new goth and industrial with a heavy emphasis on EBM and electro-industrial. Nice features include “News from the Netherworld” and “Theresa’s Silly Question.”

The ReGen Magazine Podcast: www.regenmag.com (Click on Podcasts link) As one can infer from their name, the ReGen Magazine Podcast is the radio arm of the online periodical ReGen Magazine. Produced by DJ Morgana, typically, a subscriber can expect a non-stop beat-matched EBM/ futurepop/synthpop dance party. This podcasts is a real tour de force that will consistently please those who love the music of the dance floor.

Industrial Radio: http://feeds.feedburner.com/IndustrialRadio Self-styled, this is “podsafe industrial, industrial rock and electronic music brought to you from Detroit, Mich.” Host Jon Murphy tends to showcase a couple artists each broadcast and plays them between 30 minutes to an hour. He likes bands that are more rock-oriented or have that old school Wax Trax sound. Overall, a very radio-friendly affair and a great way to get know individual bands in-depth. There is a slick Web site for them (www.industrialradio.org) with nice forums, links to scene related news and more.

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

The Ungodly Hour (“Music for the rest of us”): http://theungodlyhour.com/home.html The UH say they play “kick-ass music, which falls under the ever-expanding umbrella labeled ‘industrial,’ including but not limited to EBM, harsh electro, futurepop, industrial rock, power noize, dark wave, new wave, gothic and synthpop.” The podcast is very much like ReGen, with long sets of beat-matched EBM/ synthpop/futurepop/darkwave. What sets this podcast apart is the banter between DJs and various scene reports they provide as they got to concerts and festivals around the world. UH faithfully has new shows every Friday night and posts their playlists on their livejournal page.

Photos and chain mail by Leslie Verity, www.myspace.com/psychotic_by_design

Ball State University Senior Kate Moore brings the art of chain mail to college by ALARIC DeARMENT hile individuality verges on cliché among college students, Ball State University senior Kate Moore’s expertise in medieval metal work may redefine nonconformity. Moore makes chain jewelry and mail, the flexible chain-link armor used during the Middle Ages in Europe. Originally from Bethlehem, Pa., Moore moved frequently during childhood. Her parents often took her and her sister on trips to historic sites, and Moore says these trips helped her develop her interest in history. Today, with a double major in history and religious studies, Moore focuses much of her attention on medieval Europe, and that’s why she got interested in her craft two years ago at the urging of a friend. “I got bored. I got really, really bored,” she says. “[A] friend of mine saw me working on beadwork jewelry, which is something I’d been doing since I was a freshman at Ball State, and he said ‘Hey, do you think you can do this? …And then push came to shove, and here I am with lots and lots of chain mail.” Many historians credit the Celts with the invention of chain mail, although the Japanese also invented it independently. But the use of chain mail became particularly widespread in Europe in the 10th-century, says history professor Frederick Suppe, an expert in Celtic and medieval history. “[T]hey had, essentially, giant T-shirts made out of chain mail,” he says. “At the end of the Middle Ages, chain mail starts going out of fashion because it’s less effective against some weapons [such as] arrows.” Though chain mail provided an effective defense against sword blows, its inability to defend against projectile weapons led to the development of plate armor in the 14th-century. While chain mail is no longer used for protection, it remains popular among medieval culture enthusiasts.

Moore holds certification for making chain mail armor through the Society for Creative Anachronism. The SCA — described on its Web site as “an international organization dedicated to researching and recreating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe” — holds Renaissance fairs throughout the country. “Every once in a while I’ll do armor,” she says. “I’ve been venturing into pouches, dice bags, gauntlets, arm guards, things like that … Eventually, I would like to do my jewelry work full-time, but for now I’m still a hobbyist, slowly making my way to part-time. First, Moore coils a length of metal wire around a dowel rod. Using a pair of wire cutters, she clips off the rings one by one. Next Moore links the rings together into a pattern or weave — Byzantine weave, the king’s chain or mailusing needle-nose pliers. While Moore’s reasons for making chain jewelry go beyond profit, her pieces do sell. A pair of earrings, she says, cost $5, while belly chains can cost more than $50. Moore has a few regular customers including history professor Abel Alves, who says he usually pays between $20 and $50 for Moore’s work. “Kate is a craftsperson who weaves symbolic narrative into her chain mail pieces and rosaries,” Alves says. “Whether it is a Virgin of Guadalupe chaplet or a watch chain portraying the four elements of the ancient Greeks, she creates unique pieces of meaning for each of her customers.” Moore, who considers herself a pagan, often weaves religious themes into her jewelry pieces. She designed one pendant from two amethyst marbles, resembling a prehistoric Venus figurine. Moore strives for distinctiveness in her work. “It’s something completely different,” she says. “And that’s the kind of a personal philosophy of mine, to be completely different, because I’m sick and tired of mediocrity.”

How to make a Byzantine chain:

Want to try your hand at chain mail? Here’s what you need to get started: 18-gauge copper wire - available from most hardware stores for about $2* 6-inch diagonal wire clippers - $8* Needle-nose pliers - $6* 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch dowel rod (depending on the desired size of the rings), 6-7 inches in length - less than $1* *Prices may vary

To make the rings: Wrap the copper wire around the dowel rod so that it forms a tight coil. Make sure you leave about an inch at the end of the rod. Once you have reached the end of the rod, slide the coil forward so that it protrudes from the rod by about 1 inch. Use the wire clippers to clip off rings oneby-one. With 1/4-inch rings, you will need about 16 rings per inch of chain; if you’re using 1/8-inch rings, you will need about 20. To make the chain: 1. Take one ring and close it by gripping one end with the needle-nose pliers and using your thumb and index finger to push the two ends together. Take eight more rings and open them. Set two of the open rings aside. 2. Insert two of the open rings into the closed ring, closing them as well; these two rings will be known as “Set C.” 3. Take two more rings — ”Set B ”— and attach them to Set C. Finally, attach to more rings, known as “Set A,” and attach those to Set B. As a result, you should have a link consisting of three sets of two rings attached to a single ring at the end. 4. Holding the link by Set B, split the two rings in Set A so that they drop to either side of Set C. 5. Using your other hand, push the rings in Set A up so that they stick out above Set C, and part the rings in Set B. 6. Take the two remaining open rings you set aside, insert them into the Set A rings, and close them. 7. Repeat steps 3-5, opening new rings as necessary, until your chain reaches the desired length. The Byzantine chain should appear as a series of “boxes” facing one another. To make a clasp: Clip off a length of wire of about 3 inches. Use the needle-nose pliers to fold it in half tightly enough that the two ends run parallel to each other. Bend the two ends of the wire into a loop, such that the wire now looks like a letter P. Bend the other side of the wire into a hook facing the direction opposite the loop, giving the wire the appearance of a lower-case Q. Attach the clasp to one end of the chain, hooking it on to the other end. The result is great for a gift or for personal adornment!

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

miRRor

For the current scene, log onto: www.indygoth.com

Around 1987 came a notorious band called IT. The group was best described as psychotic gothic punk. After only a couple shows, I replaced the drummer and was therefore in two bands. IT was the most insanely fun band. We used to trash The Patio, breaking glasses and chairs. The lead singer, Bob “Bones” Morris used to play with knives on stage and frequently chained himself to various structures. We were such a naughty bunch of hooligans that we eventually were banned from four major clubs, after which we promptly broke up.

Indy’s Goth Movement: 1986-97

A Photo Editorial by JAMIE VITRO

PC (1992-93) was my self-therapy mechanism for coping with the loss of Lithium Tears, and we immediately launched into a frenzy of writing and playing clubs and parties. We even played at an art gallery on opening night. We burned out in less than two years, but had a ball playing a mix of driving ethereal and scathingly dark music. Also, we were the only band that ever brought a real casket to a gig to use as a stand for our stage monitors.

(Editor’s note: Jamie Vitro later joined Indianapolis industrial band Form 30 as the drummer, recently having left the band to start his solo project, Danz Poeta. He and his wife are expecting their first child this year. For more information on Danz Poeta, visit www.danzpoeta.com.)

Indy’s final “purely gothic” rock band was Fete of Ashes. This was my last band until recent history. F.O.A. was the first goth band in Indianapolis to have a female cosinger, (also violinist/ keyboardist) in the person of Susan Culp, and the first electronic drummer, David Robinson. Tom Hunt played bass, and I was still the guitarist and lead vocalist. The group played an eclectic mix of edgy, ethereal music, and even had a surf song called “Vampire Beach.” F.O.A. had a great run from 199497, playing our last show on Halloween at The Patio.

This page: photos by Jeremy B

he “history of gothic rock in Indianapolis, Ind.” sounds like a work of fiction, but as is the case of much local subcultural history, something gothic happened in the Circle City before the organized goth scene began that exists today. What came before was a series of gothic rock bands that existed between 1986-90. Here’s a brief description of those bands from my fog machine-clouded memory.

photo by Jim Stoeffer

Wishdolls and IT photos by Renee Marsh | Lithium Tears photo by Lisa Pankiewicz | PC photo courtesy of Jamie Vitro | F.O.C.

The Wishdolls, 1986-90, was the most avant-garde and theatrical of the five gothic bands that existed at that time. I (far left) was the founder, guitarist and singer, and I stuck with it until the end in 1990 after making two rarely seen music videos. The Wishdolls hovered around the Herron School of Art and the now defunct Patio (music club). We sounded like The Cure, Christian Death and sometimes Pere Ubu, but were definitely original.

From the ashes of IT and the Wishdolls there arose a new band, Lithium Tears, originally called The Hallowed Men. We were an esoteric-sounding goth rock band, and our influences included Bauhaus, Ministry, The Sisters of Mercy and anything heavy. We played clubs and parties and published a rag called Necropolis. We self-destructed around 1992 in a bitter mess that almost obliterated gothic rock from continuing in Indianapolis. But then I met a talented bass player, Tom Hunt, from a Bloomington band called Virginia Scrapings, and The Psychic Cannibals was formed in late ’92.

any of us have heard the annoying comments. Random slurs and insults having to do with worshipping the devil, curses and many other foolish notions just because we decide to dress differently than the typical person. Not all goths are Satan-worshippers. In fact, many can be just as good, if not better, Christians than many people in the mainstream. However, other prevalent religious beliefs are also practiced within the gothic community, including Wicca and Buddhism, among other religions. People who are both goth and Christian are more common than you may believe. They face similar problems as other goths and a fair share of their own challenges. The way they are treated depends on whom they are talking to. “Traditional Christians do not quite understand that Jesus died for everyone and loves us the same, no matter how we are dressed,” says Lady Michaela, Web mistress of www.christiangoth. com. She believes one of the biggest problems Christian goths face is prejudice from other Christians. This is not to say that all Christians do not accept these individuals, since Michaela herself is accepted within the congregation she attends. Being a Christian goth can lead to unique situations within the church community. Such is the case with Pastor David Dellman, the first person many people go to with questions about a family member who happens to be goth Paganism and Wicca also have a fairly large following within the goth community. “I had questions that needed answers. Christianity had too many holes,” says Mystery Babalon. Every religion has its own way of explaining the big questions of life; some people just don’t like Christianity’s answers. This may be attributed to goths being more open-minded than some average people, and as such they are willing to look differently at aspects of life. However, pagans and Wiccans are harassed about associating with devil worship, which is the farthest from the truth. Wicca and all pagan religions have nothing to do with the Christian figure of evil known as the devil. They are religions having to due with the worship of nature and seeing the divine in all creation. Buddhism is also a minor sect amongst goths. In talking to two good friends of mine who happen to be Buddhist and observing them, I’ve noticed that Buddhists seem to be accepted more by the mainstream norm than any other religious followers (other than Christians). This may have a lot to do with the fact that they do not try to exert any sort of religious power over anyone or try to stand out. The main draw for this religious belief is it is more experimental than “blind faith.”

Countries of origin, Tibet, Vietnam and Japan, divide the religion. Under each country, there are at least nine sects each basing around five precepts: “refrain from taking life; refrain from taking that which is not given; refrain from misuses of senses; refrain from telling lies and refrain from self-intoxication with drinking and drugs.” Each sect of Buddhism does have its own connotations and additions of the five precepts, which allow for diversity in the religion, but the basics remain the same. To add clarify the picture for you, I conducted a “poll” to see how the different religions stacked against each other. Here is what I found in my research: 46 percent of people polled are atheist/agnostic, 32.4 percent are Christian, 10.8 percent are Buddhist, 8.1 percent are Wiccan and 2.7 percent claim to study some other form of mysticism/occultism.

However, this was not a scientific study, nor does it represent all religions. These statistics will differ greatly in various cities and subgroups. The statistics do show that all goths do not fit into one religion. Also, being goth is not necessarily about religion; it’s about the people in the subculture. We all put our pants and skirts on the same way, so to speak, so why should we let religion get in the way of our appreciation of one another? “First of all believe that truth exists, and secondly apply yourself to discovering it,” says Pastor Dellman. “It is the most important quest you will ever undertake, because the end result is your eternal destiny.”

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Log on:

Editorial by BRIAN RANKIN

www.religioustolerance.org — Search various belief systems | www.witchvox.com — Networking the Pagan community since 1997 (search for adult pagan groups and meetings by state or country) | www.gothicchristianity.com — Gothic Christianity support network | www.christiangoth. com — Prayer requests and message board | www.accesstoinsight.org — Readings in Theravada Buddhism

Goths for Jesus… and Other Religions

on the SHELF

15 minutes

Perfecting the Female Nude Getting to know Martin Rafael Class by LESLIE BENSON

Log on: www.rafaelclass.com

Cell: A Novel by Stephen King Scribner/Simon & Schuster, 2006 $26.95 (prices vary) **** Terrorist attack through cell phones or a hacker’s best work gone terribly wrong? Regardless, something has brought the human race to its bloodied, battered knees, and only a few unlikely heroes are left to make sense of it all. The latest effort by King reads like a technozombie novel, and I am sure someone is working out the movie rights as I type! An inventive idea, it almost makes a little too much sense and may have you feeling like leaving your phone off the charger for a few days. The climax is a little un-climactic, but there is enough to make up for it, turning this one into a great “stay in bed and read,” guilty-pleasure, page-turner. — Leigh Marino

Photos by Martin Rafael Class

hough reclusive, Dayton, Ohio-based photographer Martin Rafael Class isn’t shy about the subject of his artistry — well-angled female nudes, usually in poses representing facets of fetish and BDSM culture. Having recently released his first book of fine art, Obsessions: Photographs (Mixofpix, $24.95), after 17 years of photographical work, Class feels surprised by its international acclaim. “So far, I’ve had good responses from the UK, Germany, France, Australia, Italy and the USA… even some in Mexico, which is nice, since I was born there,” he says. Managing a frame shop may soak up his hours, but he makes time to travel with his wife, Cindy, to Chicago, Ill. and experiment with new models in photo shoots. “I became more open about shooting fetish after first showing in a gallery in Chicago,” he says. Following the stylized path set by photographers like Helmut Newton, Class traded his radar detector years ago for a camera and made his wife the subject of his first nude shoots. “After having something to show, I was able to get models that would pose in exchange for photos,” he says. “We moved back to Dayton, and I went to school. I took all the art classes and photography classes and dropped out.” Since then, the classic blackand-white photo enthusiast has been published in Secret Magazine and the Skin Two Directory. “I’m always looking for new models,” Class adds. “So if there are any out there who would pose in exchange for photos, please get in touch.”

Coraline by Neil Gaiman HarperCollins, 2002 $15.99 (prices vary) ***1/2 Coraline Jones, a young British girl, lives in an old house that

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

has been converted into flats (apartments) with her workaholic parents. Two outdated actresses and a crazy man, Mr. Bobo, who says he is training a mouse circus/orchestra, reside in neighboring flats. Like many little girls, Coraline has an explorative nature and hates that her parents can’t cook and hardly pay her any attention. One day, she unlocks a door in the drawing room that divides hers with a vacated flat. A red brick wall separates the rooms, though, not for long. While her parents are away, Coraline finds the bricks have disappeared, and she enters a black hallway into a sinister world parallel to her own. There, she meets her “other” mother and “other father,” who seem to love her more than her real parents. The only other difference is their button eyes. An adventure with a friendly black cat ensues, forcing Coraline to choose between reality and the “other” world. For a 162-page book, this is a quick read appropriate and entertaining for adults and children alike. — Leslie Benson

Obsession: Photographs by Martin Rafael Class Mixofpix, 2005 $24.95 ****1/2 Universally beautiful, the female form has been the subject of artistic endeavors since before Greek and Roman times. Natural voluptuousness — curves, hair, lips, eyes — intrigue members of both genders. Bound discretely in a slick black book, more than 150 pages showcase the best of Ohio photographer Martin Rafael Class’ black and white photography. Exhilarating, sexy fetish shots of school girl types, dominatrixes, goths and girls next door stream off the pages, exhibiting the timelessness of the female nude. Vinyl cat suits, vintage-style lingerie, boots, high

heels, corsets, electrical tape, old Air Force uniforms, chain mail and fishnet stockings adorn the flawless bodies displayed in the collection. Complex, naughty rope work strewn throughout the book creates its theme. And the best dressed of all? Those lovely ladies in their birthday suits, of course! Classy and inventive, the work combines the right amount of light with shadow, highlighting the girls’ best assets. The book captures animalism, lust, desire and gentle sensuality — all the facets of female sexuality. The best part is that Class doesn’t just focus on the submissive; he also shows images of women in power — those in touch with their intense inner urges. — L.B.

Paint it Black: A Guide to Gothic Homemaking by Voltaire Weiser Books, 2005 $15.95 *** A sequel to Voltaire’s humorous What is Goth?, Paint it Black features a detailed collection of macabre do-it-yourself projects. Learn how to integrate Asian and Indonesian styles into your home, make bottle candelabra, pimp your hearse, create ornate journals, demonize baby dolls and accessorize picture frames. Basic tools are simple — black spray paint, dry flowers, glue guns, spray adhesive and black electrical tape. Best of all, the book covers gothic wedding planning for couples with or without open-minded families. — L.B. The Wraeththu Histories (The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, 2003; The Shades of Time and Memory, 2004; The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence, 2005) by Storm Constantine Tor Books and Immanion Press

$15.95 - 17.95 each (prices vary) ***** To those unfamiliar with Storm Constantine’s Wraeththu novels, let me first give a bit of background. In the first trilogy (Wraeththu Chronicles: The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit, 1987; The Bewitchments of Love and Hate, 1988; The Fulfillments of Fate and Desire, 1989) we were introduced to the Wraeththu race. Wraeththu (a.k.a. “hara”) are mysterious yet beautiful hermaphroditic creatures that bring about the extinction of humankind through death or “inception” — a blood-based ritual that transforms human males into “hara.” The novels follow the path of Pellaz and Calanthe, our two main characters, as they undergo enormous physical and spiritual transformations and bear witness to the dawn of a new era on earth. The Wraeththu Histories heralds Storm’s return to the world she created over 16 years ago. The story begins with The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure which, when examined chronologically, is set between the second and third book of the original Wraeththu Chronicles series. Wraiths gives us some intriguing back story on Pellaz’s family and other events left untold in the first series. It also introduces a new race to the mix: the “female” version of “hara,” The Kamagrian. In The Shades of Time and Memory, we are brought back to the present. Our main characters are thrust into a battle that could determine the fate of many realms. Alliances between enemy tribes

continued on pg. 40

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on the SHELF continued from pg. 39 of hara must be forged in order to extinguish an evil that threatens the very existence of Wraeththu-kind. In the final volume of the Wraeththu Histories trilogy, The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence, hara face conflicts from otherworldly realms and begin to wonder whether they are really the supreme beings that they had been led to believe, or are simply pawns in a bigger battle across many realms. All in all, the Wraeththu Histories are an exciting extension of Storm’s original work. Her writing style has matured, as have Pellaz and Calanthe. Best described as part fantasy, part mythology, part magical text, Constantine creates a world that is surreal yet delivers characters that are so emotionally charged (dare I say human?) that you can easily relate to them. Even if you haven’t read her original foray into the world of the hara, you can still immerse yourself within the Histories without getting lost. Though, to appreciate it fully, I would encourage reading both. The perfect blend of fantasy, eroticism, dark art and stunning imagination should please any reader who appreciates the darker side of sex, love, emotion and magic. — L.M.

Dead Can Dance Toward the Within Rhino Home Video/Records, 2004 $14.99 (prices vary) ***** If Eastern religions manifested through music, Dead Can Dance would express the warm essence of their followers. Thought-provoking, soul-stirring world music performed by lyrical poets Lisa Gerrard (vocals, yang chin, percussion), Brendan Perry (12-string guitar, Irish bouzouki), Robert Perry (uilleann pipes, percussion), John Bonnar (keyboards, vocals), Ronan

spin me ’ROUND O’Snodaigh (percussion, vocals), Andrew Claxton (keyboards) and Lance Hogan (bass, 6-string guitar, vocals), Dead Can Dance brings inanimate musical instruments to life, in sympathy with their masters. Intense mastery of an orchestra of sounds makes this percussionheavy band a force to be reckoned with. Toward the Within, the DVD of the CD by the same name, which was released 10 years earlier, was produced and directed by Mark Magidson and filmed at the (now closed) Mayfair Theatre in Santa Monica, Ca. The DVD includes a live concert and personal testimonies by the musicians between songs. For those interested in musical theory, this DVD may temporarily fill your creative void and transport you to 100 minutes and 14 songs of majestic folk and worldly tunes — acoustic guitars and d whistles in tact. Highlights include the Eastern, gypsy-like “Cantara,” five music videos and well-choreographed percussion throughout. Close your eyes, listen and meditate. — L.B.

Depeche Mode Videos 86>98+ Warner Reprise Video, 2002 $29.98 (prices vary) ***** An extensive double-disc music video package following the history of Depeche Mode’s 20-year success story, the DVD set highlights such original videos as “Personal Jesus,” “Walking in My Shoes,” “Enjoy the Silence” and others — more than 200 minutes of one of your favorite bands. Short films and interviews bring the boys’ trials to light. But for a specific glimpse into Depeche Mode’s hey-day, find Depeche Mode 101, a documentary and film diary of their 1988 tour ($24.98, prices vary). Quirky videos aside, Videos 86>98+ displays most facets of the band — both emotional and playful sides. — L.B.

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Various Artists Metropolis 2005 Metropolis Records, 2005 $8.98 (prices vary) *** Directed by Jhonen Vasquez of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac comic book fame, the DVD set opens with the anti-corporate video “Shut Me Up” by Mindless Self Indulgence — a rip-roaring video of a retail employee going postal on mindless electronics customers. Then The Birthday Massacre’s “Blue” off Violet displays the nightmarish video of a bunny-eared Chibi playing with creepy dolls in her room, beneath which she finds a labyrinth to another world. Thereafter, Bella Morte enters with a live video of “Another Way.” Other videos include “Welcome to Paradise” by Front 242, “Beloved” (live) by VNV Nation, “Hulelam” (live) by Juno Reactor (the trippiest African tribal drumming/industrial music you’ll ever hear), “Late 20th Century Boy” by Snog and “Dark Entries” by Bauhaus, live from the Gotham tour. A supplemental 15-song CD accompanies the DVD package, featuring everyone from Combichrist to Grendel to Rotersand to Funker Vogt. Not bad for the price, but Metropolis could have included more music videos in this deal. — L.B. Various Artists Sleepwatching Vol. 1 Asleep by Dawn magazine, Dancing Ferret Discs, 2005 www.asleepbydawn.com $11.99 (prices vary) ****1/2 A 22-video DVD featuring some of the best current industrial, goth, dark wave and world-music bands in the scene — with great oddballs thrown in like the Blue Man Group (“The Current,” starring Bush’s Gavin Rossdale) and The Cult (“She Sells Sanctuary”),

the Sleepwatching compilation opens with Skinny Puppy’s “ProTest,” showing that you’re never too cool for an urban break-dance competition. The Crüxshadows enter next with “Edge of the World,” complete with Rogue’s spiky black locks and female back-up dancers. The black-and-white B-horror-style flick starring Rachel McDonnell, helping bust men in suits and a giant lobster with a laser gun, adds to the amusement. While a few of the videos take a modern filmographic perspective (via Collide and Android Lust), guilty pleasures include atmospheric, fantastical Renaissance videos (Xandria’s “Ravenheart,” Loreena McKennitt’s “The Mummers Dance” and Blackmore’s Night’s “Way to Mandalay”). Welcome additions are Cincinnati, Ohio-based Hungry Lucy with “Softly,” filmed in a baby pool in the duo’s basement, and hot shots Lacuna Coil with “Swamped.” Lunascape interprets “Tears from the Moon,” cleverly impersonating mannequin lovers; hauntingly operatic Qntal makes an appearance with “Entre Moi et mon Amin;” and Peter Murphy slides through a forest in “Cuts You Up.” For Finland’s HIM fans, the DVD also includes a short interview with frontman Ville Vallo, during which he discusses touring, smoking cigarettes and the girl waiting for him back home. Also, an interview with Gothminister and four additional music videos make this a thrifty purchase for that baby bat that has everything. Oh, and don’t forget to check out Corvus Corax’s “Saltarello,” a live version of the traditional, multiple bagpipe-oriented tune. — L.B.

Better left on the shelf Borrow from a friend Buy used Buy album new Buy album new and make copies for friends

Arch Enemy ***** Anthems of Rebellion, Century Media, 2003 This album leaves you with what one would want in a metal album. It makes me want to destroy things, and that’s what I am looking for in this kind of music. Songs like “We Will Rise” and “Despicable Heroes” show that the band still has it. Singer Angela Gossow’s growl is evil and intense. There is emotion behind it, and many metal artists seem to lack that. “Instinct” stands out the most on this album; its lyrics are passionate. If I’m angry or upset and I need release, I listen to this album. — Kidtee Hello

Breeding Amies *** Passing the Virus, Stett Get Bred Records, 2005 As music becomes more technologically based, unsigned musicians can easily record CDs. Solo project Breeding Amies stems from Dayton artist Stett with the help of guest musicians. The debut CD, released Halloween 2005, tackles aspects of metal and angry industrial rock. Though the album starts out shaky vocally at times, the songs are a sincere attempt at writing progressive underground rock. Highlights of the record include clever electronic riffs and several instances where influences Marilyn Manson and Orgy filter through. Track four, “Wake Up,” is a perfect example. Album lyrics explore control, break-ups, personal flaws, hatred and realizing you are someone’s rebound. Next for the musical project is a possible summer tour and an upcoming CD, Perfecting the Art of Depression. — Leslie Benson

The Damage Manual ***1/2 The Damage Manual, Invisible Records, 2000 The Damage Manual’s fusion of live industrial mixed with heavy drums and wickedly expressive grooves is an album to be heard. It found its way into my collection, and thus far I have yet put it away longer than for a week. My favorite tracks are both versions (yes, there are two) of “Sunset Gun.” This is another great achievement in the growth of live industrial, which is a welcome change from standard droning drum machine creations. If you have yet to hear this and are a fan of Pigface and Killing Joke, this is probably right up your alley. So stay out of the dumpster, unless you are collecting cans to recycle for this album. — Braille De/Vision **** Subkutan, Dancing Ferret Discs, 2006 Currently the best synth-pop act going, De/Vision has had a long history of putting out stellar releases and Subkutan ranks up there with the rest of them. From dancing pop songs to slow ballads, this album truly shows the strengths De/Vision can bring to a full-length album. Intelligent and diverse, albums like this show why acts such as De/Vision have a broad and far-reaching fanbase. — DJ Mr. Industrial Pants De/Vision ***1/2 Subkutan, Dancing Ferret Discs, 2006 This is the January 2006 release by a highly-talented, ’80s born German synthpop band with smooth male vocals. At first listen, I was disappointed by the apparent lack of creativity in lyrics such as “We gonna rock you. We gonna rock you right” in the song “Subtronic,” and “you make me puke. I can’t stand your stupid face” in the song “The End.” However, patience allowed me to realize that sometimes a lot can be said by saying little. In this case, I would give a round of applause for simplicity. The mood overall is casual background synthpop with an ambient edge

of Nine Inch Nails, especially noticeable in “Addict.” Over time, the music has grown on me — no, I didn’t toss it in the give-away box. Subkutan is recommended to avid fans of Depeche Mode, Iris, Wolfsheim and Neuroticfish. But if you’re looking for a dance club hit, look for a new remix of Subkutan, and if you’re low on cash and unfamiliar with De/Vision, instead buy Zehn, an excellent collection of 10 years worth of singles. — DJ Alyda Stoica The Dillinger Escape Plan **** Irony is a Dead Scene, Epitaph/Ada, 2002 As a long-time listener of Mike Patton and The Dillinger Escape Plan, Irony is a Dead Scene is a must hear! Believe it or not, it actually includes a cover of “Come to Daddy” from Aphex Twin, in which the drumming (which, as a drummer, I am amazed) is so insane I can only assume that there were two drummers. The timing will crack your head open and crawl right in. There is no room to lose interest in this four-song CD. With heavy timing and extreme switchups, you’ll never know what is coming until you’ve listened to the album several times… unless of course, you listen to Patton heavily, in which case you will know exactly what to expect, the unexpected. — B. Evil’s Toy **** Illusion, Metropolis Records, 1998 In the days before VNV Nation and Assemblage 23, there was Evil’s Toy. Coming together in the early ’90s, this European duo had already released three albums prior to Illusion that gained them attention from music fans in the U.S. Illusion is a blend of EBM and electronic music that is still fresh nearly 10 years after its release. Songs such as “Lucifer’s Garden” and “Shades if Vanity” can still stand side-by-side with many of the songs played currently in clubs. This album has paved the way for much of what we hear now. Evil’s Toy’s Illusion comes highly recommended. — I.P.

Faun ***** Renaissance, Dancing Ferret Discs, 2005 Faun is an ethnotribal/worldbeat/ethereal Celtic sensation from Germany. Embark on a lively journey through life, death and rebirth. The band explains the release best as not “a dark passage into the underworld. Nay, it’s the opposite: a gate wideopen.” Find your body, mind and spirit hoisted away to a mystical land with frolicking fauns/satyrs, dryads and sirens; dance with a goddess, a bride, kings, queens, lovers and even the Virgin Mary. Sway even to the quiet, mesmerizing lament of “Das Tor.” Definite swoon material here. Not a bad song on it. Recommended to fans of Dead Can Dance, Vas, Loreena McKennitt and Qntal. Buy it! This CD is worth every Euro. — A.S.

Filament 38 ***** Unstable, Negative Gain Productions, 2005 Hailing from the industrialized city of Cleveland, Ohio is Filament 38. The band’s second album, ironically titled Unstable, is anything but unstable. A solid, grinding romp through harsh electronic textures and emotional lyrics, Filament 38 is definitely a band to watch for in the future. Songs such as “Interface,” “Dissect (Infekt)” and “Uplink (TerraMachina)” will leave you wanting more. It’s no wonder Filament 38 is a favorite act in their hometown, and soon they’ll be a favorite of yours too. — I.P. Form 30 **** Ignited, Form 30, 2005 Achingly romantic keyboard notes open the first track on Form 30’s Ignited, “I Don’t Need Anything,” erupting into passionate electroindustrial angst. Revealing inner truths — beginnings and ends — the former trio (now duo) of Indianapolis’ Jamie Vitro, Jason Milner and David Alusik shine on

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spin me ’ROUND continued from pg. 41 this six-song album. Danceable “Falling” rings out intensely during its harmonic chorus, symbiotic voices blending. The best track on the album, “Purest Injection,” and its remix, haunt this reviewer with staying power. Its keyboard and guitar-oriented melody make the sorrowful tribute to addictive love an undeniable ode. “Twist the Catwalk” is the album’s sarcastic track, poking fun at overbearing bar flies. Crunchy guitar riffs and steady percussion move Ignited along, proof that Midwest industrial still thrives. — L.B. Icon of Coil *** Uploaded and Remixed, Metropolis Records, 2004 Grab your shitkickers and Red Bull, and prepare to sweat on the dance floor. With exclusive tracks and remixes by Apoptygma Bezerk, Funkervogt, Xenomorph and others, this 14track barrage of techno-heavy beats will energize you. Highlights include “Shallow Nation” and “Simulated” (expressing our puppet world mentality). Take the album on the jogger’s track to enhance an exercise routine or leave it in your car’s CD player to help wake you up during a long drive. And turn on the bass boost. You won’t regret it! — L.B. Last Dance **** Once Beautiful, Dancing Ferret Discs, 2005 With the slight grunge edge of “Secrets,” the Cure-influenced keyboard stylings of “December” and the Eastern march tempo of “Wish Me Closer,” featuring Tina Root, Once Beautiful is just that — a trio of musicians exploring the once beautiful moments of their lives. From songs that delve into the memories of a happy time to the now decaying remnants of love, Last Dance pays homage to things that were never to be. A pleasing album with softer sounds than many bands in the genre today, Once Beautiful brings back the classic musicality of late ’80s goth — when we were tender, misunderstood and emotional. — L.B.

spin me ’ROUND Lucia *** From the Land of Volcanoes, Suki Swift International, LLC, 2004 KMFDM’s leading lady, Lucia Cifarelli, steps back from industrial’s razor core and barbed wire lyrics with this solo debut. Picking up on Madonna’s early glam (“I Don’t Care” and “What You Become”), Shirley Manson’s rawk vibe (“So Clever” and “Ordinary Girl”) and a softer pop sentimentality, the album is far from her homesake band’s territory. Working through fear, angels and demons, she serenades with a warm, sultry voice — sometimes evoking late ’80s female rock ballads. The CD also includes “Monkey Puzzle Tree (KMFDM version),” the album’s saving grace, displaying the Lucia we’re used to. Still, peeking into her other side is both eyeopening and entertaining. — L.B. Lunascape **** Reminiscence, Noir Records, 2005 Shadows and light meet on this bitterly romantic 12-track album. “Lane Navachi,” the theme song from Haunted Castle 3D shows how the Belgium vocalist Kyoko Baertsoen shines. Endearing vibrato and wispy words flow like spirits dancing among soothing keyboard harmonies, bass, drums and guitar. If you’re a fan of soprano and female-fronted goth bands, pick up this album. Aching violin on “Tears from the Moon” express painstaking one-sided love. Hints of Cranberries-esque and Bjork odes create a spiritual aural peace — a truly beautiful and fragile sound. “State of Mind” grooves with fingerpicked guitar strings, setting a perfect canopy of sound to hold the vocals. “Yairo” breaks the album’s pace, displaying the band’s diverse range of styles, sounds and talent. — L.B. Mindless Self Indulgence **** Straight to Video: The Remixes, Metropolis Records, 2006 This is absolutely one of the best multi-remix singles I have picked up to date. Start with the fabulous electro pop track “Straight To Video” from MSI’s full-length CD release You’ll Rebel To Anything,

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

and take some of the best remixing artists in our genre, and you can hardly lose! My personal favorites are the “Infrastructure” (with Punketta Doilie), “P.A.L.” and “Bro Peezy AKA Greg Poole” remixes. Also of note are remixes by Haujobb, Combichrist, Funker Vogt, Front 242, Assemblage 23 and many more. This is a collectible masterpiece. — DJ Copper Top Ministry *** Houses of the Mole, Sanctuary Records, 2004 Ministry has a new scream for you with this one, though on my first pass of listening, I felt a little let down. I was expecting the band to continue on with its newer sound, which they had been growing into with Dark Side of the Spoon and Animositisomina. Of course, leave it to Ministry to once again show me not to have any expectations. The album starts off with, yet another (Carmina Burana) sampling, which has been heard in techno and industrial for some time now, though this time the sample actually makes sense! At first listen, I thought Ministry would regress into recreating “Psalm 69” with new lyrics. After putting my personal expectations down, I soon fell into the album. Firing refrains push the envelope of political views with George W. Bush samples procuring exactly what you expect our president is really thinking, feeding all of his garbage into our brains. And of course, I have to mention my favorite sample, “Now can you handle it, or do I have to write it in Braille and shove it up your ass?” (Wonder why?) All I have left to say is check it out and make our own assessment. — B. The Protagonist ***1/2 The Songs of Experience, Cold Meat Industry, 2005 Enter the perfect soundtrack for your nightmares. The blackened, sky-scorched Earth’s atmosphere oscillates from meditative music for warlords to a blast of symphonic marching music for an army of grim reapers. The mostly instrumental orchestral synth soundscapes are laced with the poetry of William Blake, Charles Baudelaire and an excerpt from William Shakespeare’s

Romeo and Juliet. After seven years of side projects, music creator Magnus Sundström is back, proving once again there is beauty in darkness. The album is recommended to fans of Raison D’etre and suspenseful horror film soundtracks. — A.S. Psyclon Nine ***1/2 Inri, Metropolis Records, 2005 A violent and angry release, this album comes at you with a frontal assault on all your senses, holding nothing back. Dealing in religious themes and imagery from the darker side of life, this act truly isn’t for the faint of heart. “Lamb of God” and “Rape This World” are prime examples of this, as these songs tap into anger and begs for a release out on the dance floor. This act is set to release a new album and tour in 2006, so catch them in your town. — I.P. Rotersand ***** Truth is Fanatic, Metropolis Records, 2004 Rotersand is an act that has quickly gained recognition within the scene, and its first full-length album, Truth is Fanatic, will quickly show why. Front to back, this album is filled with intelligent and thoughtful lyrics, moving and infectious electronic music and top-notch production. Rotersand has already hit the road in Europe with such acts as Assemblage 23, Run Level Zero and are doing a spring European tour with Covenant. It won’t be long until they hit the states. You must own this album — hands down one of the best albums of our scene this century. — I.P.

Rotersand ***** Welcome to Goodbye, Metropolis Records, 2005 If someone took a piece of art and put it to music, it would be named Rotersand. This follow up to Truth is Fanatic continues at an amazing pace. “Dare to Live,” “Undone” and the club hit “Exterminate Annihilate Destroy” are just a sample of what this album has to offer. The only thing better

than getting this CD would be to see them live. So go out and buy this album. Then purchase a plane ticket overseas to their next performance. You won’t be disappointed. — I.P. Steril ***1/2 400 Years of Electronic Music, Artoffact Records, 2005 This kick-ass, remastered greatest hits collection contains 13 songs, including Egoist, Deep and I Get Closer, and material no longer produced. Style ranges from old school, crunchy/glangy ’90s industrial to thumping dance club and even hip hop. Gritty Nine Inch Nails/Skinny Puppy male vocals and intermittent heavy guitars make this CD great for a fetish party or rivethead scene. Some songs slice in harmonic techno razor intrabeats, driving industrial rhythms and Prodigy-type singing. This album is perfect for someone who loves to speed and appreciates genre benders. Want more? Steril’s brand new release, Realism, came out in May. — A.S. Stromkern ****1/2 Light it Up, WTII Records, 2005 Ever wake up and just want to shout to the top of your lungs at what’s wrong with the world? Ever feel like that no matter what you speak out against, you’ll be looked down upon? This album is your anthem. Stromkern strikes back at the world with this amazing release. If songs such as “Stand Up,” “Reminders” and “Ruin” don’t get you pumped up enough to go against the grain and stand up against corruption, then you don’t have a soul. — I.P. Swans ***1/2 The Great Annihilator (Remastered and Reissued), Young God Records, 2002 Bending deep inside the mind of the young gods themselves is a sound filled with hope and despair. Mind-bending blends of simple, yet intensely complex layers, make this an album worth sinking your teeth into. The album hands down truth inside music for the world to devour in a way that is creative and brings the listener deep inside a barrage of rhythm in a class of its

own. Opening with a brief, intense instrumental, “In,” and purging the soul with “She Lives” (a deeply disturbing track that tunnels into the spine, corroding away what was thought to be some grasp on sanity), the album opens onto a more distinct edge as it draws to a close, leaving the listener to make their own conclusions. Get your own copy! — B. VNV Nation ***** Matter+Form, Metropolis Records, 2005 It’s been six years since the lyrics “I’d only come here seeking me” stormed the dance floors all over the U.S. and European industrial nightclubs from one of VNV Nation’s most famous tracks, “Darkangel,” off Empires (2000). VNV Nation, based in Hamburg, Germany, is run by eccentric electronic musicians Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson. Shannon Ludwig, publicist for Metropolis Records, based in Pittsburgh, Pa., tells me the band will be releasing its new single, “Homeward,” later this year. Even the most vinyl-spinning DJ purist like me finds the band’s digital-based recordings to be impressive, recorded from Roland synthesizers. VNV’s recent album, Matter+Form sounds almost analog in instrumentation, but Ludwig says it’s strictly digitally mastered, and no reel-to-reel format devices were used in its production. The track “Chrome” packed dance floors before VNV fans had a chance to listen to the full LP. Though the album is mostly techno-driven and about half the LP is synthbased with fewer vocals than on previous records, the album boosts more laser gun sound effects and heartier sounding percussion. They had me fooled into thinking they used a real drum kit. Even fans of harder industrial or commercial music find VNV’s style to be more than ambient. Ludwig says commercial sales for the EBM/darkwave market have sunk due to the large variety of electronic musicians on the scene — bootleggers and ‘Net downloaders. But VNV gives disc jockeys like myself

hope that the underground will continue to stay underground. Even high-end retail stores such as Hot Topic sell the EBM format heavily in the U.S., and Ludwig believes the sales and scene for EBM music is just as big here as it is in Europe. For the future of EBM, in the words of VNV Nation, “Forever and onward, and forever great things to come.” — Louie Wood, Jr.

Voltaire ***** Almost Human, Projekt Records, 2000 I know most would say that The Devil’s Bris is there favorite Voltaire album, but my favorite by far is Almost Human, probably due to tracks like “Dunce,” “Dead Girls,” “Underground” and the title track. This album frames Voltaire’s style perfectly — a combination of witty, the dark humor and beautiful ballads of lost love and the all around hurt that goes along with life. Haunting violins and raw acoustic guitars make “Anastasia” a touching song about losing a loved one. However, a Voltaire album would never be complete without a few cynical comedic gems such as “Alchemy Mondays” and “God Thinks.” With versatile music that’s both chilling and inviting, Almost Human makes for a wellrounded album. No matter what my mood, I can easily listen to it all the way through, and these days that’s a rarity. — K.H.

Wideband Network **** Ten Thousand Seconds, A Different Drum Records, 2006 For lovers of dark melodic synthpop, have no fear. Depeche Mode and New Order have evolved, and most of the biggest fans have followed along. Yet, there is somewhat of a gap. In comes Wideband Network. The newest offering from this Seattle, Wa./Toledo, Ohio duo is Ten Thousand Seconds, and if you pick up the version with the bonus disc, you get close to that amount of music. Think along the lines of Depeche Mode meets BT, and you get the picture. This is gorgeous melodic fare. I am in love with the

tracks “Grounded,” “30,000 Miles” and “Just Like That.” Look for the remix of “Just Like That” on my next North American mixed disc release. Ten Thousand Seconds is a must have for any serious synthpop fan. — C.T. Witt ****1/2 Bayreuth 3, Dancing Ferret Discs, 2006 Who ever said German was a pretty language? Joachim Witt seems to relish using the most ugly words he can find to end each line of his songs. “Ya wohl!” Just try to say “Stopf ich, Stopf ich den Schmutz” correctly the first time. Witts’ voice is a gravelly merge of Rammstein and Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Orchestral electronics mix with heavy guitars and occasionally stray into surprise electropop interludes with light female vocals. Witt’s experience shows in his creativity. The steel-toed, boot-stomping fun song “Ich Spreng Den Tag” machte mein Tag. You might think this is just another clone of Rammstein, but actually Witt has been a music artist for more than 30 years. Rammstein and Eisbrecher are his fans. The album is recommended to fans of bands already mentioned and KMFDM. — A.S. Wumpscut *** Bone Peeler, Metropolis Records, 2004 On this album, I could catch myself dancing to tracks suck as “Rise Again” and “Just a Tenderness.” Bone Peeler can be quite repetitive, but that comes with the territory. The creepy kid counting in German is a nice use of a dubbing on “Our Fatal Longing.” It still has enough dynamics and kick to make me want to pick up the album. I would have listened to the album more if it wasn’t for its repetition, driving me batty. — K.H.

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Chasing Fashion Acid Grave | Photo by Kevin Foureman, Dark Mannequin Designs

miRRor

rom wearing a little black dress to a Mohawk, our personalities shine through our appearances with every piece of clothing we put on or take off, with every accessory and jeweled item we flaunt and every manner in which we style our hair or lack thereof. With subcultures fashioned after music and art, come unique styles of dress. In the gothic and industrial scenes, there have never been as many shades of black, but we also feel comfortable in all colors of the rainbow. Gothic Lolita dresses with lace and frills, vinyl cat suits and trench coats seasoned to Matrix perfection, face paint mimicking Siouxsie Sioux, Nosferatu-clad males, candy-goths, rivetheads, über cyber-fetishists, ravers and gravers, psychobilly allstars, and punks that dig Sisters of Mercy — we’re all in there. Fashion has become our staple method of self-expression; the easiest and sometimes hardest way to portray our emotions and perspectives outside of the daily norm. Balancing business affairs during the day with a darker nightlife, many goths and industrial

scenesters, and those in between, save special events like concerts and club nights for ultimate self-makeovers. In these instances, we carefully pair together our favorite spiked collars with steel-toed boots and the most original attire, hairdos and make-up styles we can come up with in two hours of preparation. Of course, not everyone takes that long to get ready to go out, but in each individual lies a certain ritual followed to express our inner selves outwardly — whether shocking the mainstream in the meantime or simply boosting our own images. Here’s what some EI readers had to say.

On what to wear: “Latex, latex, latex! Fetish fashion is so the vogue right now. Latex accents such as gloves and jewelry add a fun twist to any outfit. Toss in a set of wild-colored dreadfalls and a gas mask, and you’re golden! At the 2005 (Ohio) Group Shoot I hosted, I expected to have to handle troublemakers. For the role, I wore my spiked

and corseted dominatrix nun outfit with a riding crop. To get attention or express annoyance, I would beat my high-heeled boots with the riding crop. The end result was that models and photographers alike were too intimidated to even say hi to me. I guess I over did it!” — Lady Atropos “When I dress down, I usually have on Lenore t-shirts or my ‘the elusive hot bi babe’ t-shirt. At Eroticon this year, I wore a black short skirt, black PVC boots with pink tongues, vinyl laceup gloves and huge purple butterfly wings, with my collar of course.” — Dara “Shiny” “If I feel like wearing a fuzzy blue angora sweater with daisies all over it, I will. It is not always about what you are wearing, but rather, how you wear it.” — Clara Turk “My style has never been stagnant, and over the years I have been seen in anything from liquid latex and bubble wrap, tight-laced into

continued on pg. 46

Log on: www.twisted-ways.com — Lady Atropos | www.alternativeohio.com — 44

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Models and photographers

Opposite Page: Acid Grave | Photo by Kevin Foureman, Dark Mannequin Designs

Though the elusive question, “What should I wear?,” sometimes makes us rip our hair by LESLIE BENSON out, we salute the darkly clad and the dark ones clad in plaid

a corset and Edwardian gown, to leather, circuit boards and LEDs with holographic tubing and rexlace hair. I’m really rather whimsical.” — Isis Deviance “Those cybergoth graver types are like aliens to me. I can stare at them for days on end — tubes and shit sticking out of their heads and metal embeddings under their flesh. I can only imagine living my life day-to-day as a bloody cyborg! It is truly fascinating and represents everything a subculture is about. It’s like anime meets Blade Runner meets Aeon Flux.” — Sarah Vain “I have a distinct color scheme: blue for what I see as the positive side of me, and I wear pink. I wear the same things performing as I do when I go to the grocery store, and it makes for some interesting situations.” — Jacurutu: 3 “I work in the fashion industry, so I represent my style every day to the public. I have a guilty pleasure for so many things, from stretch jeans to Lacoste shirts (my inner prep?). Some nights I go to the club looking like I’m right out of a Rolling Stones gig, circa ’77; the next week it’ll be teased up hair and a pencil skirt. I’m moody mentally and stylishly!” — Sarah Vain

“The world is in the accessories! I’ve recently had a fascination with the look and feel of Japanesestyle rope bondage (Shibari), so a current favorite accessory is soft, colored rope as a nonrestricting ‘harness’ over some sort of form-fitting clothing. Try some ribbon, speaker cable or thin (eight-inch) plastic tubing! Other fun things may include small shiny objects that can be found at craft stores, like small mirror shards (not glass) on nylon string or glittery ‘bugs.’ Do you still have some chunky, gaudy jewelry from the ’80s? Tie that heavy plastic block that you used to call a bracelet around the base of your pigtails! I also am, have always been, and always will be a tech geek. I have a closet full of dead computer parts; these bits can be found on any number of things I own — in my hair, on my biker jacket, strapped to various body parts, made into goggles... you name it, I’m a dork. Safety lights, LEDs and electroluminescent wire are also fun things to play with, and I have been referred to as ‘the beacon’ a time or two.” — Isis Deviance

“No other sense of fashion allowed for me to wear insane stripper shoes as casual everyday wear.” — Lady Atropos “The coolest clothing and most unique fashions are custom one-of-a-kind works, not mass produced (clothing).” — Lady Atropos “Find a fabric you like that makes you excited and use it. Skirts are easy to sew, but poet shirts are a pain. You don’t always need to start out with raw fabrics either. You can go to Army surplus or thrift stores and find great things. I took the cuffs off an old Army shirt and sewed it onto a great velvet shirt. It was during my Tank Girl phase. Told you I was femme for a guy. I made my first velvet cape after seeing a lady in Greenwich Village (N.Y.) wearing one. I found the store that sold them and thought $300 was too much, so I examined the construction of the garment and bought fabric myself. I began to sew for the first time. I stayed up two sleepless nights sewing, but I got it done.” — Sergio Auler

“Handmade accessories are an absolute must. I love to support small businesses at every given opportunity.” — Cattie

“It’s all about knowing your own body and what works for you. If you feel comfortable in it and it is pleasing to your own aesthetic, go for it! I think the remedy for anything is in experimentation.”

“My collar is a staple of all of my outfits. I always have my collar on to show I’m with someone — and even further — that someone’s pet. Oddly enough, I’ve been known to stray away from black and wear a white leather skirt that I found at a vintage store with a nice dress top… slutty librarian like. It’s fun to be the only one at a goth night wearing white.” — Dara “Shiny”

— Isis Deviance Top: Cyndie, Wicked Talent | Photo by Kidtee Hello | Left: Melissa Kennedy | FlutterBy Studios

“A large portion of my wardrobe consists of leopard print. It’s feminine and sassy. I

On accessories:

feel that it’s a good representation of my character.” — Cattie (see photo on prg. 6)

“Lots of blue glitter works for any occasion.” — Jacurutu: 3 “My studded belt is always a favorite, and I wear a rosary ring that I got at Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo in New Orleans around my neck. How ‘über.’ I also am fanatical about my blazers — I have quite a few! My favorites are a black Dior blazer that has seen everything and a cute children’s Saks purple velvet blazer.” — Sarah Vain

Bottom: Jacurutu: 3 | Photo by Kidtee Hello

www.myspace.com/erosnoir — Sarah Vain’s Wicked Wednesdays | www.apocalypsefilms.net — Sergio Auler’s parody TV show

continued from pg. 44

Handmade polymer food jewelry, often appearing in Cattie’s wardrobe

“You can’t go wrong with a pretty Celtic cross or a pentacle. I used to like small silver hoop earrings too. I saw it as a pirate-like look, and I did spend lots of time in search of rum and booty! Oh, hair barrettes… When you look as femme as I do, you can get away with them, even as a guy.” — Sergio Auler

On synthetic hair falls: “They take more than 20 minutes to put in and seconds to take out. They are pain-free and are not permanent.” — Lady Atropos “The idea is adding length, volume and/or shape to your own existing hair, so start with a base color

close to your real hair. Then add any additional colors or highlights as a secondary color. I tend to prefer the ‘half pigtail’ look for falls, but the process is the same for any implementation. “Section off the hair you want to use to attach the fall, either roll it into a bun or ‘pull through’ a piece to have a knob to attach the fall to. In my experience, I’ll lay the fall forward, draping down the front of my head, attach the band to the ‘hook’ or ‘knob’ I just created. Then I drape it back over to cover it — adjusting, fidgeting and pinning hair as needed. Bits of fabric, lace, scarves, tubing or any number of other things tied around the base help secure and disguise where the fall and your hair meet. “Personally, I tend to prefer braided or woven in extensions for myself. I’ve run the gamut from tubing and rexlace, wool or yarn dreads, loose, silky extensions, pinch braids to even wire wrap braids and fibre optic filament! My only suggestion is to check out ethnic beauty supply stores for supplies and referrals to someone who may be able to help you with it, as it’s very difficult to pull off by yourself. I am available to be commissioned in southwestern and central Ohio. Expect to be sitting around for upwards of eight hours for a full head of hair, and properly done extensions should last roughly three months before really needing to be tightened and redone.” — Isis Deviance

On men’s fashions: “Not only am I limited of choices being a man, but I am 45-years-old, limiting me even more. There are only certain types of fashions that look good on me, and there is not a lot of readymade (clothes) to choose from. Skater guys seem to have a lot to choose from, why not goths?” — Kevin Foureman “Let’s bring back poet shirts if we must, but enough with the band tees and skater pants. I wear my fair share of Hook Ups tees myself, but I love the anime chicks.” — Sergio Auler “We need a Queer Eye for the Goth Guy show! I also think many men think fashion doesn’t matter. Well, get your shit hemmed, because it does! Maybe I’m just vain, but a nice jacket, nice pair of pants and some good shoes are gonna make you look a hell of a lot sexier then those oversized Insane Clown Posse-inspired trousers and dumpy sneakers you’ve had since high school.” — Sarah Vain “Men’s fashion is so boring and limited. I don’t know if anything can be changed. If you look back through history, the only options tend to be togas and kilts! Maybe a shift towards men’s kimonos would be good. On a side note, unless you get a real kilt, don’t bother wearing a pretend one. There is nothing worse than going to a club and seeing a man wearing a pleated skirt.” — Lady Atropos

www.darkmannequin.com/, http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=2172 — Kevin Foureman, Dark Mannequin Designs | www.maccosmetics.com, www.macaidsfund.org

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

miRRor http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=4340 — Clara Turk | www.myspace.com/jacurutu3, www.jacurutu3.com

Log on: www.shesrottenmedia.com — Cattie | www.faeriesmak.com —

Top Right: Clara Turk | Photo by Kidtee Hello | Middle: Lady Atropos | Photo by Gary DeLisle

miRRor

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

miRRor

Do-It-Yourself: 10 Summer Beauty Tips by SARAH VAIN, Indianapolis, Ind., M.A.C. Cosmetic professional

An interview with Adrian Magers of Sokaris Art & Design by LESLIE BENSON

reating fansites for bands on the Internet and the dissolution of his industrial band jolted Adrian Magers into honing his artistic techniques. Relying heavily on image-editing software, he consumes digital manipulation by creating collages of everything from autopsy reports to morgue and surgery photos for symbolic purposes. This fan of horror cinema and dark works by such artists as H.R. Giger, Niklas Sundin and Chad Michael Ward, also plays the keyboard for further self-expression. Magers recently displayed his work for the first time publicly at the High Five in Columbus, Ohio with artists Hecate and Illustrated Illusions. He later shared some thoughts on his artistic accomplishments thus far.

1. Wearing black lipstick is generally not always a

Diabolical Digital Art 15 minutes

good idea.

2. Don’t be afraid to approach quality make-up counters and stores to get your make-up done.

Sarah Vain | Photo by Mark Watson

3. Buy high-quality make-up products. They last longer and

Log on: http://sokaris237. deviantart.com

EI: When someone first looks at a piece of your work, what do you hope he/she will gain from it? AM: “With multi-layered pieces, I am to achieve an initial emotion, whether it be elation, fear, dread, repulsion — in a good way of course — and then a secondary trigger of curious examination. If it succeeds in its purpose, it should be something that people piece together and apart in their mind’s eye. I find it interesting what some people will notice and others will completely look over.” EI: What, if any, stereotypes are you hoping to break with your art? AM: “That digital art isn’t ‘real’ art. For every breathtaking digital composition, there’s a half-hearted, generic image composed of generic filters and poor blending. I’d like to show more possibilities within the medium to those skeptical of its potential.”

apply better too. The only cheap thing I buy is black nail polish. 4. Apply your top eyeliner with an eye shadow and an angled liner brush. It looks cleaner, you can get more creative with shaping and it doesn’t fade like black eyeliner. 5. Buy professional lash glue if you decide to wear lashes.

Duo eyelash glue is great. The glue on the back of the lashes

is not meant for your eyes. That just keeps the lashes in the package properly! Good quality lash glue will keep your lashes on for 24 hours, unless you sleep on your face — then damage could happen! 6. Don’t wear make-up to make you look paler if you are not as pale as the foundation itself. If you wear powder foundation, it can make you look ashy in photographs. 7. It’s all about the brushes. Invest in good quality brushes made in Europe and animal hair brushes. If you don’t want animal, go for Aveda’s brushes, but animals are plucked and left to live!

8. Red make-up can make you look blood-shot if you don’t do it right! So pale people beware — it’s not always that sexy!

up, but you can use lipstick for cheek color when

you’re in a pinch! A bit on your finger makes a

nice blush.

10. The right blush shade based on your skin tone can make you look

fairer, and proper blush contouring can make you have those wicked

Peter Murphy cheeks you’ve always wanted!

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Art and graphics by Adrian Magers (Pictured Top Left)

9. Friends don’t let friends use lipstick for eye make-

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

15 minutes

Documenting Razor People

15 minutes

Digital POP Art Collages

Photographer Jeremy B (top right) encourages our vast differences by LESLIE BENSON

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Log on: www.photo.net/photos/Jeremy%20B

Art and graphics by Sean Stevens

Photos by Jeremy B

ith inspiration that changes like his mood swings, Ohio photographer and artist Jeremy B proudly conveys his visions of the world. Targeting fetishists, body modifiers and sideshow entertainers, his photos stand out like the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz — truly individualistic. “I am convinced the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones,” he says. “The common folks are like the leaves of a tree. They live and die unnoticed.” A student at the Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology, Jeremy B hopes to dent the way people perceive tattooed and pierced individuals, as well as those who enjoy body suspension. Though, he says he creates art to document observations of life for himself, “and if someone else likes it, then cool.” Like his favorite original photograph, “Blowing in the Wind,” his artistry stems from deep emotional seeds. “It’s just a photo of a ripped up plastic bag caught in razor wire blowing in the wind on a cloudy day,” he says. “It’s grainy and slightly sepia colored.” Other highlights of his work include broken chess pieces, female portraits, piercers in action, street images and circus stills. Skilled in both black and white photography and carefully stylized color images, Jeremy B’s work captures movement and emotion with professional ease.

by SEAN STEVENS of Dayton, Ohio

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Send Echo Immortalis your Midwest goth club news, events & band show dates

Image courtesy of LAIKA Entertainment

Spring - Summer 2006 | Echo Immortalis

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (author of the Sandman graphic novel series; American Gods). He hired a talented group of artists to begin production on the film, slated for release in late 2007-08. Having been named Child Magazine’s Best Book of the Year and having won a Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers, Coraline is not an easy story to tackle visually. Independent filmmaker Benjamin Vu of Portland, Ore. works as one of Selick’s employees. Born in Nebraska, Vu received a bachelor’s in telecommunications production 2000 from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., as well as a master’s in experimental animation from the California Institute for the Arts a few years later. He uses the artistic and filming skills he learned there to merge stop-motion videography and computer animation for the creation of Coraline, working as a previs and look development artist for LAIKA Entertainment. “My job is unique in that I work in both the story and art departments,”Vu says. “I help the director in previsualizing scenes using computer animation, photography, and videography. My job also entails developing the final look of the film.” After learning to edit video on Ball State’s Avid DV software, Vu says he was hooked and “wanted to find a career that catered to (his) passion for drawing and storytelling.” He soon completed three animated short films, including Strands of My Mother (2006), Noobies (2005) and Fluid Dynamics (2004). The films gave him the opportunity

to work with Selick on Moongirl (2005), which then opened the door to Coraline. “I enjoy the unique world created in Coraline,” says Vu. “It really pushes the imagination. We see the book come alive in our work visually every day, and I get to work alongside some of the best artists in the world. This alone keeps me inspired and constantly learning.” For those seeking a similar education, Vu suggests taking advantage of the resources available at computer animation colleges. “Computer animation is a growing field,” he says. “This year alone there are about 13 complete animated feature films being released in the U.S.” However, there is a small catch. “Digital technology, especially in this field, can make you lazy,” he says. “You’ve got to learn not to use tools as a crutch.” For Coraline, featuring the voice of Dakota Fanning as the young girl, Vu and his team are experimenting with various mediums to achieve the fantasy world demanded by Selick. “We are creating a unique look and feel unlike any animated film out there,” he says.

LAIKA’s Benjamin Vu and the co-director of Coraline, Mike Cachuela, edit film.

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for Neil Gaiman

ince the growing success of such stop-animation/computer graphics major motion picture films as Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, filmmakers have recognized the popularity of digitized movies. Following this vein, director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) decided to rewrite a script based on the children’s horror book

by LESLIE BENSON

ech

Digital artist and filmmaker discusses production of children’s horror book

Ben Vu works for LAIKA Entertainment in Oregon.

Model: Regina | Photo by Kevin Foureman of Dark Mannequin Designs

Photo by Christopher Weinberg

Visualizing a Film

Photo by Laurie & Charles

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